Bengaluru: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said the party will not change Chief Minister Siddaramaiah “for now” seeking to put speculations on the subject at rest amid heightened political activities in Bengaluru and Delhi by both pro and anti DK Shivakumar camps.
Kharge’s clarification to the media came after a section of senior ministers requested the party leadership to clarify the situation amid the speculations swirling around the subject. His comment also closely followed a remark by home minister G Parameshwara that the Congressmen would welcome it if Kharge decided to take over the position himself.
The question of replacing Siddaramaiah does not arise at present and that Siddaramaiah will continue in office, the AICC president said, while adding that any decision regarding a change in leadership would require discussions involving senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. “If there is any question of changing the Chief Minister, we will all sit together and discuss it. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and all of us will deliberate on the matter.”
There is still time for any such decision and that the issue would be addressed at an appropriate stage. “Let the time come,” Kharge said.
As for the possibility of himself replacing Siddaramaiah, he said the media, Parameshwara and people at the top say it was better if he became the CM. “But more than fate, as per my ideology and as per my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi takes decisions regarding me,” he said. “In any case, that question does not arise now, as Karnataka already has a Chief Minister in place.”
The Dy CM’s camp became active soon after the completion of bypolls to two assembly constituencies on April 9. Shivakumar travelled to Delhi on a three-day visit to discuss political issues with the leadership. It was soon followed by ministers loyal to Siddaramaiah too visiting Delhi to torpedo Shivakumar’s chances.
Kharge’s clarification to the media came after a section of senior ministers requested the party leadership to clarify the situation amid the speculations swirling around the subject. His comment also closely followed a remark by home minister G Parameshwara that the Congressmen would welcome it if Kharge decided to take over the position himself.
The question of replacing Siddaramaiah does not arise at present and that Siddaramaiah will continue in office, the AICC president said, while adding that any decision regarding a change in leadership would require discussions involving senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. “If there is any question of changing the Chief Minister, we will all sit together and discuss it. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and all of us will deliberate on the matter.”
There is still time for any such decision and that the issue would be addressed at an appropriate stage. “Let the time come,” Kharge said.
As for the possibility of himself replacing Siddaramaiah, he said the media, Parameshwara and people at the top say it was better if he became the CM. “But more than fate, as per my ideology and as per my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi takes decisions regarding me,” he said. “In any case, that question does not arise now, as Karnataka already has a Chief Minister in place.”
The Dy CM’s camp became active soon after the completion of bypolls to two assembly constituencies on April 9. Shivakumar travelled to Delhi on a three-day visit to discuss political issues with the leadership. It was soon followed by ministers loyal to Siddaramaiah too visiting Delhi to torpedo Shivakumar’s chances.
