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Bengaluru, Oct 24 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar declined to comment on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLA Yatindra Siddaramaiah’s statement projecting minister Satish Jarkiholi as his father’s successor, saying he would convey the message to the appropriate quarters.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, Shivakumar was asked whether he would issue a notice to Yathindra, 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.” These statements are likely to trigger a major controversy within the ruling Congress, as the Siddaramaiah camp is also expected to react to Shivakumar’s comments.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that a report on Yathindra’s statement, along with a video clip of his announcement, has already been sent to the party high command by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). The Shivakumar camp is confident that the national leadership will pay attention to the message given through Yathindra’s comments.
Congress MLC Rajendra Rajanna, son of former minister KN Rajanna – who was dropped from the cabinet for contradicting Rahul Gandhi on the voter fraud issue – said: “Yatindra’s statements are personal. He has talked about change of leadership after 2.5 years, he has suggested that PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi should be made the chief minister after this term keeping in mind the leadership of the victimized communities. He has not said that things will change immediately. Will go. The decision regarding notice to Yatindra will be taken by the party president.
He said, “The decision on the post of Chief Minister will be taken by the Congress legislature party and the high command. In the CLP meeting, the MLAs will choose their leader and the one chosen will become the Chief Minister.”
Two-time Congress MLA KH Ranganath, a staunch supporter of Shivakumar, said, “Shivkumar represents the ideology of the Congress government, which takes all religions and communities together. Similarly, our Chief Minister also represents the same ideology. There is no confusion. As the state party president, Shivakumar is taking everyone along.”
He said, “My opinion is that Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar should become the CM some day or the other. I am not a big person to say that he should become the CM at any particular time. The decision is taken by the MLAs and the party, and whenever a decision is taken, our wish will be fulfilled.”
In a major development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Yatindra Siddaramaiah, said that his father is at the last stage of his political career. He further said that, at this critical juncture, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi will take the lead in guiding those who follow scientific and progressive thought.
These statements have assumed significance amid rumors of leadership change in Karnataka and discussions on power-sharing agreement.
Yatindra said: “Today, my father is at the end of his political life. He is in the last phase of his political career. At this time, for those adopting scientific and progressive ideas, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi will take the responsibility and provide leadership.”
Yatindra said, “Minister Satish Jarkiholi will play a leading role in showing the way to all those who believe in the ideology of the Congress Party. I am confident that he will set an example in this regard. It is rare to find a leader committed to the ideology. Minister Satish Jarkiholi has taken that responsibility, and I request him to continue his work in this direction.”
–IANS
MKA/PGH