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Bengaluru, Nov 21 (IANS) Commenting on rumors of leadership change in Karnataka and its leaders’ visit to New Delhi, the Congress party on Friday hit out at the BJP, saying the “defeated, factionalized BJP and a section of the media are running a malicious campaign against the Karnataka government.”
Addressing X on Friday, party general secretary and Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “Discussions were held with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and they agreed that the decisively defeated and faction-ridden Karnataka BJP, along with a section of the media, is deliberately running a malicious campaign against Karnataka and its Congress government.”
“The only idea is to undermine the brilliant achievements and guarantees of the 5 Congress governments, which have become an excellent model of inclusive growth and distributive justice,” Surjewala said in his post.
“Unnecessary statements by some Congress leaders and MLAs have also increased speculation. The Congress has strongly warned them from making any public statements on the leadership issue or falling into the agenda being propagated by vested interests,” he said.
He concluded, “The leadership has taken note of the opinions of various party functionaries.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar on Friday defended the visit of several MLAs to Delhi, comparing it with the visit of ministers and MLAs to the national capital along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and wishing him all the best to retain the chief minister’s seat.
Amid the leadership controversy and the visit of a group of ministers and MLAs to Delhi, 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
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