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Kolar: On Home Minister G Parameshwara’s statement that he would be more than happy if Karnataka’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister is selected for the post of Chief Minister, KH Muniyappa has clarified that he has no desire to become the Chief Minister. “We are all bound by the decision of the high command,” he stressed on Tuesday.
The statements have gained significance as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is reportedly making efforts to secure the top post.
The projection of seven-time Congress MP, former Union minister and prominent Dalit leader Muniyappa as the potential CM candidate had intensified the power struggle within the party. With Muniyappa now saying he has no desire to become chief minister and will abide by the high command’s decision, sources suggest the development could prove beneficial for Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar.
Speaking to the media in Kolar on Tuesday, Minister Muniyappa said, “I am happy that Parameshwara has supported my candidature for the post of CM. Parameshwara is one of the senior most leaders of the party. He served as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and provided good leadership.”
Muniyappa reiterated, “We are all committed to the decision of the high command. The decision regarding the post of chief minister will be taken by the high command. I cannot just say or announce that I am ready for the post of CM. I have no desire to become the chief minister.”
He further said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will remain in office for five years and there will be no change in the leadership at present. He said, “He played an important role in bringing the Congress party to power in the state. There are many capable leaders, including state Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who are eligible for this post.”
“However, efforts are being made to create confusion every day. We will not take any decision on changing the chief minister,” he said.
Amid the ongoing leadership controversy, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had said that he would be happy if senior party leader and Food Minister KH Muniyappa, who is from the Dalit community, becomes the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Parameshwara further said that seven-time MP Muniyappa is an efficient leader.
Parameshwara had said, “Muniyappa has been elected MP from the Congress party seven times. Winning seven times is not easy. He is a senior leader and former Union Minister. He is efficient. If Muniyappa is made the Chief Minister, I will be happy.”
Parameshwara said, “Since we are from the same community, I will naturally be happy if our community gets the opportunity. If the community which has been suppressed and exploited for a long time – comes to power, won’t we be more happy? In this context, Muniyappa is efficient, and if he is made the Chief Minister, I will be happy.”
–IANS