Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Bengaluru, Oct 24 (IANS) Amid the ongoing leadership row in Karnataka, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa on Friday said no one is indispensable for the Congress, adding that the party and its leadership will take appropriate decisions if needed.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Mahadevappa, a close confidant of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, made remarks that have taken on political significance. Earlier also he had strongly advocated for a Dalit Chief Minister in case of change of leadership in the state.
Responding to a question on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLA Yatindra Siddaramaiah projecting Minister Satish Jarkiholi as his father’s successor – despite persistent demand for a Dalit CM, Home Minister G. Both Parameshwara and Mahadevappa had already expressed interest in the post – a statement the Social Welfare Minister said did not come from the party high command.
“Is this statement made by the high command? Why are you upset? There are many people in the party who are ideologically committed – in fact there are a lot of them. The Congress party exists because of its ideology. No one is indispensable. When former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi passed away, people were wondering about the future of the leadership, but many leaders emerged. Therefore, no one is indispensable in the Congress,” Mahadevappa asserted.
He further said that the AICC and the state leadership will decide the party’s strategy in Karnataka. He said, “Apart from the decisions of the Chief Minister, State Congress President and AICC, no other statement holds any importance. If people draw their own conclusions then it means nothing.”
Commenting on Yathindra’s comment, Mahadevappa said, “Whoever made the statement should explain the background of his comments. We are not aware of it.”
“The chief minister knows what should happen and what should not happen. The high command and our party president are also aware of the developments. We have not been called or informed on the issue till now,” he said.
In a major development, CM Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra had recently said that his father is at the last leg of his political career and at this crucial juncture, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi will take the lead in guiding those who follow “scientific and progressive thought”.
Yatindra said, “Today, my father is at the end of his political career. He is in the last phase of his political life. At this time, for those who adopt scientific and progressive ideas…PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi will take the responsibility and provide leadership.”
These comments assume significance amid ongoing rumors of leadership change in Karnataka and discussions on a possible power-sharing arrangement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar refused to comment on Yatindra’s statement, saying he would convey the message to the appropriate quarters.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, when Shivakumar was asked whether he would issue a notice to Yatindra, he said, “I will not talk about the matter right now. I will send the message where it should reach.”
Shivakumar underlined, “I stand by discipline. Discipline is the priority of my party.”
–IANS
MKA/PGH