BENGALURU: Even as the debate on inducting more DyCMs into the Siddaramaiah cabinet is raging, senior seer of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthana Mutt Chandrashekara Swamiji on Thursday demanded that DyCM DK Shivakumar be made Chief Minister.
Interestingly, the seer made this statement in the presence of CM Siddaramaiah and his cabinet ministers, Nirmalananda Swamiji of Balagangadharnatha Mutt and Nanjavadoota Swamiji at a function here to mark Kempegowda Jayanthi.
He said many leaders enjoyed power as CM except Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah has already served and is serving as CM. He should pave the way for Shivakumar to become CM. “This will happen only if Siddaramaiah makes up his mind to make Shivakumar CM. I request Siddaramaiah with folded hands to make Shivakumar CM,’’ he said.
Later, the seer said, “It is dharma to make Shivakumar CM.” Asked if Shivakumar spoke to him in this regard earlier, the seer said he (Shivakumar) should have been CM by now. But he (Siddaramaiah ) is not willing. Someone has to convince Siddaramaiah to do so,” he said.
The seer indirectly slammed other senior swamijis of various Vokkaliga mutts when asked if they supported his statement on making Shivakumar CM. He said,”Our society is like this. They won’t make such statements in the presence of the CM or ministers for the fear of losing certain privileges or benefits from the government.”
The seer said the Congress secured 136 seats in the Assembly elections because of Shivakumar. “He (Shivakumar) worked hard, spent money and travelled across the state and mobilised people in favour of Congress,” the seer added.
Responding to the seer’s statement, Siddaramaiah told reporters that the party high command will take a decision on the matter. Shivakumar, however, refused to comment.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the party has nothing to do with the seer’s statement. ‘’Leaders of the party will take decisions on such matters. There are rules and regulations in the party to take such decisions,” he said.
No intention to disrespect any leader, says DKS
On some leaders of Vokkaligara Sangha expressing unhappiness over prominent Vokkaliga leaders, including HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy, not being invited to the function to mark Kempegowda Jayanthi, DyCM DK Shivakumar said, “There was no intention to disrespect anyone. SM Krishna, Sadananda Gowda, Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy are all leaders of the community. Officials invited Vokkaliga representatives from Tumakuru, Bengaluru and Bengaluru Rural districts only. Will ensure that all Vokkaliga leaders are invited to the event next year. We have instructed the officials to invite leaders and seers of all Vokkaliga mutts. There is no need to politicise this.”