Karnataka has become a tension, and embarrassment for the Congress party as the suspense over the Chief Minister post continues to grow with even party chief seems to have no clarity. And things are not looking good for Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah as his close confidante and cabinet minister G Parmeshwara said he would be okay if the high command chooses Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
Furthermore, a late night meeting between DKS and Karnataka cabinet minister Satish Jarkiholi sparked speculations of another possible jolt to Siddaramaiah. But Jarkiholi is undeterred.
“There is always leadership inside the party. In any party, a leader is picked, and we have picked Siddaramaiah. It was the same in the past, and (even) today. There won’t be any change in that,” he told reporters, reported Indian Express.
The final task is again rested with the Congress’ omnipresent high command. Party chief Mallkarjun Kharge said he would call for a meeting in which LoP Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
G Parmeshawar ready to accept DKS
Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara, who recently contended he is always in the CM race, is ready to accept DK Shivakumar as the Chief Minister. Though he mentioned that he is not aware of any power sharing talks between DKS and Siddaramaiah, but added that the high command’s decision is final to him.
“. This power sharing thing… we don’t know. Honestly, when the CLP assembled, there was no mention of power sharing. It’s very difficult for the high command also to say that but we elected Siddaramaiah as the chief minister, there was no mention of any period or any time frame but we all thought that this will continue for five years. But of late, the power sharing of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah… yes, if that is true… if there is an agreement made or there was some discussion at the highest level then definitely everybody will agree. There’s no question of saying no but that has to be decided by the high command. We have no role,” he said.
On his own candidature, he asserted that he would never ever parade MLAs and ask to be made CM. “I have faith in the high command, only they can take such a decision,” he said.
“If given an opportunity, I will definitely do well and serve the people of Karnataka while protecting Congress ideology,” he added.
Parmeshwara has been a pillar of strength for Siddaramaiah. On the other hand, while even CM Siddaramaiah’s son supported Jarkiholi to carry forward the legacy of the CM, the minister has stood firm on his ground to back the Chief Minister. His meeting with DKS was closely watched.
No one knows what happened, but DKS said the two are colleagues and can meet. Which is true. But the other side of the story is that these two never supported each other, and there has been a constant silent tension between them.
Vokkaliga seer’s choice is DKS
Vokkaliga seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, an important figure whose choice matters in entire Karnataka politics, said it was both his personal view and the sentiment within the community that D K Shivakumar should become the next chief minister of Karnataka.
Citing Shivakumar’s loyalty and long service to the party, the pontiff of the Adichunchunagiri Math expressed confidence that the Congress high command would take an appropriate decision.
Notably, Shivakumar is a key leader from the Vokkaliga community, which has a strong presence in the Old Mysuru region.
“I am watching and reading in the media about the developments in the government. The Math is a centre of faith for the Vokkaliga community and has been a voice for other communities as well. On the CM issue, Shivakumar has not spoken to me yet,” the seer told reporters, quoted PTI.
His remarks come amid an intensifying power tussle in the ruling Congress, with speculation of a possible change of guard as the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. Reports have pointed to a purported “power-sharing” agreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.
Will Siddaramaiah be called to Delhi?
As the drama unfolds in Delhi and Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah said that he would do as the high command says, the first ever time when he did not press on remaining the Chief Minister like always does. Previously, he asserted that he would complete his tenure, but now, he has hinted at a possible learning towards the decision of the high command in Delhi.
Amid speculation over the Karnataka Chief Ministerial post, Karnataka Minister HK Patil on Thursday said that he will discuss the matter with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge if he calls him for a meeting. Kharge earlier stated that a decision regarding the power tussle in the state will be made after a discussion among the high command, CM Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
“If he calls, we will sit and discuss with him. Wherever high command calls, we will have to go,” Patil said after the speculation stirred as the Karnataka government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge, “I will call everyone and have a discussion. Rahul Gandhi will also remain present in that discussion. Other members will also remain present. CM and Dy CM will also remain present. The decision will be made after a discussion with all of these. There is a team. I am not alone. The entire high command team will discuss and make a decision.”
DKS social media post
Earlier on Thursday, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar shared a social media post amid speculation of a power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah, reiterating, “Keeping one’s word is the greatest strength in the world.”
In the X post, DK Shivakumar asked everyone, including himself, to keep their promises.
“Word power is world power. The biggest force in the world was to keep one’s word. Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk,” the post read.
