Bengaluru: Regarding speculations in political circles of Karnataka over replacement of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister , State Bharatiya Janata Party president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday observed “the days of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister are numbered” and "Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will snatch power from Siddaramaiah."
Siddaramaiah assumed charge as Chief Minister in May 2023 after the Congress party came back to power in Karnataka.
Vijayendra said “It is clear from the words of D.K. Shivakumar during the winter Assembly session in Belagavi that his mentor has told him to snatch power (if transfer of power is not a smooth affair).”
He stated as per power sharing formula evolved by Congress party leaders, Vijayendra said “The term of Siddaramaiah is nearing end” and asked Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar “To spell out what the power sharing formula is between them?”
“We have information that Siddaramaiah days are nearing an end,” he said and added to keep his chair intact, Siddaramaiah is at his play through his close MLAs and dinner meetings have been going on one after the other.
Already the differences in the ruling Congress party have come out in the open and more of it will be out in coming days, said Vijayendra in Bengaluru after a meeting of his party leaders to discuss ways to strengthen the party ahead of elections to Taluk and Zilla Panchayats.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, reportedly eyeing the post of Chief Minister, on visits to temples to invoke divine blessings, told media persons in Bengaluru, he performed a homa at a temple in Tamil Nadu for “peace of mind and protection (from enemies).” Shivakumar said “I pray to God every day for good news and protection from those who wish me ill.”
In support of Siddaramaiah, a close confidante of Siddaramaiah and Minister of Cooperation K. N. Rajanna suggested to D.K. Shivakumar “Why dream of becoming Chief Minister for the remaining two-and-half years?” “Let him (Shivakumar) become Chief Minister for a full term of 5 years by winning 2028 Assembly elections in Karnataka,” Rajanna said.
Another close confidante of Siddaramaiah, Minister of Large Scale Industries M.B.Patil said “The post of Chief Minister is not vacant right now.”
