DyCM Okay With High Command Playing A Waiting Game On Change Of Leadership
Speculations are rife in the Congress party, Karnataka unit that major political developments are about to happen in May.
BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said he is okay with his central party leaders yet to act/discuss on change of leadership in Karnataka. He was reacting to a statement by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge no date has been fixed yet by central leaders over change of leadership in Karnataka which has been doing rounds in political circles since August.
Speculations are rife in the Congress party, Karnataka unit that major political developments are about to happen in May. A supporter of Shivakumar, Iqbal Hussain, MLA representing Ramanagar, exuded confidence, a couple of days back, that his leader would get elevation as Chief Minister by May 15.
Responding to Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar, a frontrunner to the post of Chief Minister, in Bengaluru said “As a loyal Congressman I have been very loyal to the party. The words of our leaders are very much important to me. We will go by the party's direction.” However, he declined to comment that his supporters including some Congress MLAs are backing him to occupy the Chief Minister’s seat.
Earlier, Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters in New Delhi “I as president of AICC, president of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will engage in mutual exchange of views and take into consideration the repercussion of change of leadership and arrive at a decision. So far no date has been fixed to change the Chief Minister.”
“Without fixing the date, how can I tell you about it?” said the AICC president. Sources said Siddarmaiah enjoys support of backward classes and minorities in particular and change in Chief Minister would annoy backward classes voters and minorities voters which could be detrimental for the party's prospects.
However, Shivakumar insists on an unwritten agreement (May, 2023) between him and Siddaramaiah to transfer power after completion of two-and-half years which has been denied by the Chief Minister.
