Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. (Photo: By Arrangement)
Bengaluru: While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) keeping close observation on the political developments in Karnataka especially over change of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday asserted the matter of him reportedly replacing Siddaramaiah as next Chief Minister “is a matter between him and the Congress party” and ruled out the need of any MLAs or party leaders to support him in this regard.
“I will go with the efforts and rest is left for the almighty to decide,” he said in reply to a query when the high command would make him the Chief Minister by replacing Siddaramaiah.
Talking to media persons in Sringeri, a popular Hindu pilgrim centre in Chikkamagaluru district, Shivakumar said, he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah discharge their duties as per Congress party’s directions. He said, he in particular, will go by the directions of the Congress party.
Speculations are rife in political circles that Shivakumar would replace Siddaramaiah as the next Chief Minister especially after Minister for Public Works Satish Jarkiholi hosted a dinner meeting in Bengaluru a couple of days back. Satish is a close confidante of Siddaramaiah.
Adding fuel to the speculations, Bharatiya Janata Party State president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, at a meeting of his party leaders in Bengaluru on Saturday, stated discussions have started in the ruling Congress party over change of Chief Minister and some in the ruling party feel Siddaramaiah an “outsider” (migrated from Janata Dal Secular) to the Congress party occupied Chief Minister’s post twice once from 2013-18 and again from May 2023 till date.
Siddaramaiah is nearing two years as Chief Minister in the new State Government which came into existence in May 2023 but unwilling to relinquish the post, said Vijayendra and stated the stance taken by Siddaramaiah has left Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in a state of confusion.
However, Vijayendra recalled an instance where D.K. Shivakumar made it to the Cabinet after he was left out initially under the Congress led State Government in the past.
“A stubborn person by nature, Shivakumar has started the process to get into the CM’s chair,” observed Vijayendra and stated Shivakumar has started holding late night meetings in response to dinner meetings hosted by close confidantes of Siddaramaiah.
Owing to the power-sharing issue, BJP Chief observed the development of the State has taken a back seat.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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