New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) The chief minister’s post in Karnataka is not vacant, state IT Minister Priyank Kharge asserted on Friday, blaming “crisis-hit” state BJP for fuelling such speculation in an attempt to divert attention from its own shortcomings.
In an interview with PTI, he said the Congress party, at the Centre and state-level, has clearly stated that there is no proposal to change Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah.
“I don’t know where this is coming from because when KC Venugopal, our general secretary organisation, our in-charge general secretary Randeep Surjewala, Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister ShivaKumar and the Congress President (Mallikarjun) Kharge themselves have said that there is no change of guard that is being discussed,” he said.
The Congress leadership, he said, “is very clear” on the issue and “extremely vocal about that”.
“So, I don’t think we need to keep answering these questions that the BJP has to speak about,” he said.
“So, that matter is laid to rest and the seat is not vacant.” Speculations of a simmering power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been rife ever since Congress returned to power in May 2023.
Supporters of Shivakumar have at times claimed that a “rotational Chief Minister” arrangement was agreed in 2023, under which he would take over from Siddaramaiah midway through the five-year term.
However, the Congress leadership has never officially confirmed any such agreement.
With Siddaramaiah’s tenure nearing its halfway mark, speculations have again been aired about the change of leadership.
On his part, Shivakumar denied any plans for a leadership change or Cabinet reshuffle, while Siddaramaiah stressed that he would remain the chief minister for the entire tenure.
Asked about the source of leadership change speculations, Karnataka Minister Kharge said the opposition BJP is trying to hide their weakness.
“Currently, the BJP in the state is completely a shattered party. They are rudderless and leaderless…There is a lot of chaos in the BJP, and that is very evident on the floor of the House as well,” he said.
Kharge went on to allege that half of the BJP MLAs walk out of the Assembly and the remaining “jump” into the well of the House, when they have to take a stand on an issue.
“So, there are leadership issues, there is a crisis in the BJP, and they are imploding. And every two days, you have the State President and the Leader of Opposition saying that no, we are going to continue,” he said.
“So, I think just to hide their flaws, just to hide their weaknesses and their disunity, they keep coming up with these conspiracy theories.” PTI MBI ANZ BAL BAL
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