Siddaramaiah rejects "November revolution", asserts no calls made for leadership change
Hassan (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday rejected speculations about "November revolution" in the state politics, as he asserted that there are no calls for leadership change.
He reiterated that the dinner meeting he hosted for his cabinet colleagues on Monday had nothing to do with leadership change or politics.
The meeting had gained significance amid speculations about a change of guard and cabinet reshuffle in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as "November revolution". Some interpret "November revolution" as a change of Chief Minister.
"There is no relationship between the dinner meeting and politics. I regularly host such dinners and we keep meeting for dinner and have such get together. We discuss party matters. Other than that there has been no discussion on leadership change or any other political matters," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question from reporters on speculations about leadership change and the dinner meeting he hosted for cabinet colleagues.
Asked about the high command's 'silence' about speculations, he said the top leadership is currently concentrating on Bihar elections.
"Let's see later, what they say. We will go by whatever the high command says," he said.
To a question on talks about the "November revolution", he shot back, "there is no kranti (revolution), no branti (delusion)."
Asked about calls for leadership change and about it requiring approval from the high command and legislators, he said, "there are no such calls, you (media) are talking about such things. Nowhere such calls are there, unnecessary speculations."
There have been speculation within state's political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the Chief Minister change later this year, citing alleged power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and his deputy and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar.
Amid talks about CM change, Siddaramaiah has constantly reiterated that he will complete a full five years term.
Siddaramaiah on Monday said no one can become the CM without the support of the majority number of the party legislators, along with the blessings of the Congress high command.
He was responding to a question on a reported statement by Shivakumar that leadership changes can happen in the state based on the high command's decision, and it is not only on the basis of the support of the number of legislators.
Siddaramaiah reply is seen as an assertion that he still enjoys the support of a large number of Congress MLAs.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the Congress won the 2023 Assembly polls and the party had managed to convince the latter and made him the deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
