Wish to become CM if luck is on my side: Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru, Nov 3: A day after Siddaramaiah asserted that he would continue as Karnataka Chief Minister for a full five-year term, rubbishing talks of a midterm change in leadership, Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday made no secret of his desire to occupy the top post if luck is on his side.
Parameshwara was reacting to Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna's wish to see him as chief minister some day.
During an event in the district headquarters town of Tumakuru, Rajanna said, "Parameshwara is the home minister today. Anything can happen in future. He has the good fortune. I believe that he has the luck (of becoming chief minister) in the coming days. We will work to 'supplement' the luck. There is no doubt about it."
Stating that having a chief minister from the district would make the people there happy, Rajanna said, "If he (Parameshwara) becomes one then we all get the feeling of becoming Chief Minister," he added.
The 72-year-old Parameshwara, the former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, said, "I am grateful to Rajanna. I too desire for that luck to happen."
He, however, said he does not know when he could be elevated.
"There are many eligible candidates (who can become CM). Let everyone get a chance," he said.
He denied that there were any discussions on this issue when Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar visited his house in Tumakuru.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the issue of change of guard is decided by "four people in Delhi".
"As I have said four people sit together in Delhi (and decide). Barring those four people whoever talks has no value. And the high command should say If the high command says that I am the chief minister, then I will say Yes' to it," Kharge said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's brother and Lok Sabha member D K Suresh said there is no meaning in discussing speculative questions when the chief minister's post is not vacant.
"Siddaramaiah is the chief minister. The CM post is not vacant. This matter should be discussed when the post is lying vacant. What is the use of such talks (now)?" Suresh said.
He added that the people of Karnataka have given five years to Congress to rule the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have the target of ensuring the smooth functioning of government.
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BS Yediyurappa appeals to MLA Yatnal's group to work unitedly to strengthen party
Bengaluru, Nov 26: With a group of Karnataka BJP leaders led by Bijapur MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal holding a parallel agitation over the waqf issue, veteran party leader B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday accused them of doing it because of their "self-conceit", and appealed them to work unitedly to strengthen the party.
The former Karnataka chief minister also said that everyone should take the responsibility for the party's defeat in the Assembly bypolls for three segments, even as the BJP's performance is being seen as a "setback" for his son and state president B Y Vijayendra.
"State president B Y Vijayendra has appealed to Basangouda Patil Yatnal and others to stop protesting separately, and work with us unitedly. Despite this, because of their self-conceit, they are doing such things. It is not right on their part," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I appeal to them at least now to come forward and cooperate to strengthen the party together."
When told that they are not willing to work unitedly with the state's current leadership of the party and whether he will bring it to the notice of the high command, Yediyurappa said, "We will do our duty. The rest is left to them and central leadership...high command knows everything. Let's see what they will do."
Yatnal-led group include BJP MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi, B P Harish, and former lawmakers Aravind Limbavali, Kumar Bangarappa and G M Siddeshwara and others.
The leaders, who had stayed away from the protest recently held by the party on the Waqf issue, on Monday held a parallel agitation over the issue in Bidar. Today, they are in Kalaburagi district.
Yatnal and Jarkiholi have been openly critical of Vijayendra, accusing him of indulging in "adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress, and trying to keep the party in his clutches along with his father Yediyurappa.
Noting that the party had faced a setback in the bypolls for Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna, Yediyurappa said, "We accept that. What shortcomings were being discussed in the party. It should be ensured that such things don't repeat."
To a question whether the bypoll loss is being seen as a setback to his son Vijayendra, he said, "It is not a question of Vijayendra or Yediyurappa. The loss in all the three seats is a setback for us (party). Everyone should take the responsibility and see to it that such things don't repeat."
