Congress has many with CM potential, says Dinesh Gundurao

Bengaluru: If Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy delivered a googly against former CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday saying many Congressmen wanted Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande to become CM,  KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao virtually bowled a Chinaman – an unorthodox spin ball –remarking that “we have many with CM potential including Mallikarjun Kharge and D.K. Shivakumar.” 

In recent weeks, Mr Siddaramaiah has kept political circles abuzz with his remarks that he would like to become CM again, later clarifying that he had referred to the scenario after the next Assembly poll in 2023. On Thursday, Kumaraswamy who met AICC president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi,  commented on R.V. Deshpande’s potential to become CM. Quick to react was Mr Mr Gundurao who said the issue was not worth discussion. “There’s nothing wrong if Mr Deshpande becomes CM. We have many with the ability like Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr Shivakumar,” he said. 

He also downplayed the issue of who should become members of the all powerful co-ordination committee of the coalition.  Mr Siddaramaiah is keen on including KPCC chief Mr Gundurao in the co-ordination committee, but not JD (S) state president, A.H. Vishwanath-with whom his ties have become strained in recent months. This has led to a tussle between the coalition partners. Reacting to the BJP’s allegation that the coalition had not taken off till now, he  retorted that the BJP MPs had not done anything for the state.