Karnataka Congress divided over CM tenure as Siddaramaiah camp insists on full-term

Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, in his welcome speech, remarked that Deputy CM Shivakumar will reign in the top post soon.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar takes a speed boat ride while inspecting the Kanva dam, during a public event in Channapatna on Sunday.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar takes a speed boat ride while inspecting the Kanva dam, during a public event in Channapatna on Sunday.(Photo | Express)
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BENGALURU: With Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar's camp apparently optimistic that he would become the next chief minister, the ministers in support of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seem to have changed their tact, saying that the latter will remain the CM for five years.

At a rally organised in Channapatna on Sunday to thank voters who ensured victory of Congress candidate CP Yogeshwara in the bypoll, the sympathisers of Shivakumar wished that their leader will become the CM next. Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, in his welcome speech, remarked that Shivakumar will reign in the top post soon.

Earlier, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, who has also thrown his hat in the ring, asserted that Siddaramaiah will be CM for a full five-year term.

Replying to Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka's prediction that there will be a change in the CM's post after November 15, Parameshwara quipped that the former might have imbibed skills in astrology. "I don't know when he learned astrology. There is no development as such.

When Siddaramaiah was selected as the Congress Legislative Party(CLP) leader, no time-frame was fixed like he will be the CM for two-and-half years and the high command would think about the next CM afterwards. We feel that Siddaramaiah will be CM for five years, and in the meantime, I am unaware of what the high command has decided," he stated.

Asked about his upcoming visit to New Delhi, Parameshwara clarified that he is not going with any political agenda, but on an official visit concerning his home department. "For political reasons, I needn't go to New Delhi as the AICC general secretary Karnataka in-charge comes to Karnataka, and moreover AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge is from our state. I can put forth my opinions before them," he said.

According to sources, Parameshwara is pinning his hopes on Siddaramaiah backing him if the situation arises, which was why he did not bother to meet the high command.

RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, replying to Parameshwara, clarified that the "three biggest stakeholders", including Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge, have left the decision of the change in guard to the high command. It may be noted here that Siddaramaiah's son and MLC Yathindra had been reiterating that the former will be the CM for the full five-year term.

According to sources, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna are likely to meet the high command in New Delhi soon to discuss repercussions of the change in CM on the party's prospects. They may also revise their demand for more DCM posts in the event of a cabinet reshuffle, after Siddaramaiah presents his budget in March. Parameshwara also wants a change in his portfolio and has put forth his demand before the top leadership, a source said.

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