Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Bengaluru, Nov 21 (IANS) Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar on Friday defended the visit of several MLAs to Delhi, compared it with the visits made by ministers and MLAs with CM Siddaramaiah, and wished them good luck in retaining their seats.
Shivakumar was reacting to the leadership tussle unfolding in Karnataka, where several MLAs and ministers had reportedly visited Delhi to elevate him to the chief minister’s post.
Further, reacting to CM Siddaramaiah’s claim that he will remain the Chief Minister for the entire five-year tenure, Shivakumar said, “Hon’ble CM Siddaramaiah has said that he will complete five years. I wish him all the best.”
He made this comment while talking to the media in Bengaluru on Friday. When Shivakumar was asked about his stand (in the context of power-sharing), he replied, “Our CM has always expressed his ideology. I will not comment on it. He has said that the matter is between him and the high command. Siddaramaiah has said that whatever decision the high command takes, he will follow it. The CM will listen to the high command, and I am also on the same page. We are all committed to the high command’s decision.”
“There is nothing beyond that. But one thing is clear: All MLAs have the right to meet and meet their leaders. You cannot stop them. You cannot ask them not to go. Many MLAs travel with ministers, and many accompany the chief minister. Who has stopped them? No one has harassed them,” he said.
Reacting to a dinner meeting reportedly organized by ministers close to CM Siddaramaiah after the visit of MLAs and ministers from his own camp to Delhi, Shivakumar said, “I don’t know what message they want to send. I don’t know what is happening. They wanted the state president to be changed; they wanted more deputy chief ministerial posts.”
Taking a dig at the ministers associated with CM Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar said, “All these discussions have been going on for two and a half years. Let them hold more meetings.”
Regarding the visit of his ministers and MLAs to Delhi, Shivkumar clarified, “I do not have any faction. I am not the leader of any faction. I am the president of all 140 MLAs. All 140 MLAs are important to me. I am not interested in taking any faction along, nor am I willing to form groups within the party. I will not do that.”
He said, “Forming groups is not in my blood. All 140 MLAs are my MLAs. The honorable Chief Minister has decided to reshuffle the government. He will reshuffle the Cabinet. Naturally, many people are interested in becoming ministers. It is normal that they go to Delhi to meet leaders.”
“What else can I say? It is their right. I have not taken any of them there. Some people went and met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. Many leaders also went along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and met him. What is wrong in that?” he asked.
He said, “They have gone on their own free will. No one called them. It is their right. They are voluntarily going to Delhi and showing their faces. They want to show that they are active, capable and demanding responsibility. All party members are eligible to become ministers.”
Amid the leadership row and the visit of a group of ministers and MLAs to Delhi reportedly demanding leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he will remain the chief minister and present the state budget for the remaining tenure of the government.
Speaking to reporters at Mysuru’s Mandakalli airport, Siddaramaiah made the remarks while answering questions on the issue of leadership within the ruling party.
Asked whether he would present the budget this year and for the rest of his tenure, Siddaramaiah replied, “Why are you (media) asking this question? Yes, I will remain the chief minister and will also present the budget.”
–IANS
mka/dpb