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Bengaluru, Oct 9 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar on Thursday said he had no knowledge about the cabinet reshuffle and said the matter was left to the party and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take a decision on it.
Responding to media queries near his residence in Bengaluru’s Sadashivnagar area, Shivakumar said, “I will not comment on this issue. If the matter is discussed with me, I will give my suggestions. I request you (media) not to create unnecessary confusion by debating on this matter.”
Asked about the dinner hosted by the Chief Minister, he said, “What is wrong in it? It is natural to come together, share food and discuss various issues.”
On the ‘Bigg Boss Kannada’ issue, he said, “On Wednesday night, I called the DC and instructed him to give Jollywood studios a chance to rectify their mistake. Our industries should grow. It is not a big factory that is causing big pollution. If there are minor violations, they can be rectified. I have asked the studios to follow the Pollution Control Board rules.”
Responding to speculations about cabinet reshuffle, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said, “The decision on cabinet reshuffle will be taken at the high command level. I don’t know from where these rumors are spreading. Who has given such statements about the reshuffle? The Chief Minister has not given any deadline for it.”
Parameshwara said that there is a demand from the Valmiki community for representation on ministerial posts, but the final decision will be taken by the high command.
Amid talks of leadership change and possible cabinet reshuffle, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has organized a dinner meeting for ruling Congress MLAs in Bengaluru and according to sources, the dinner meeting is scheduled to be held on October 13 before the reshuffle.
Sources close to the Chief Minister said that this reshuffle will take place after the Bihar elections. Siddaramaiah also aims to send a strong message through the dinner meeting that there will be no change in the leadership.
The Chief Minister has spoken to Congress Organization General Secretary KC Venugopal during his recent visit to Bengaluru and has claimed that he will also discuss this issue with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Meanwhile, sources said Shivakumar’s camp is expecting a possible leadership change in November. They are citing the power-sharing agreement under which Siddaramaiah is expected to step down after completing half his term. MLAs from Shivakumar’s camp have already given public statements to this effect.
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah is said to be using the cabinet reshuffle as a strategy to counter such claims.
–IANS
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