BENGALURU: Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Thursday expressed his interest in becoming chief minister. “A human being must have aspirations, otherwise he/she will not feel human. Like everyone else, I too have aspirations”, he told reporters.
Senior officers in the state home department have been given promotions and the minister was asked would he too get a political promotion. “I have lived as an optimist till now. Everyone has a desire for something to happen in life. If the high command decides, it will happen. It is up to the elders (to make a decision).”
After becoming an MLA and minister, aspiring for the CM’s seat is a natural progression, hinted Parameshwara.
The 74-year-old politician is a six-time MLA and one-time MLC. He has served as KPCC president for a record eight years (2010-2018).
On Thursday he displayed his credentials as a Dalit and follower of Dr BR Ambedkar by attending an event commemorating the Mahars’ victory in Bhima Koregaon battle on January 1, 1818, near Pune in Maharashtra, at Nagasena Grounds near his residence in Bengaluru.
According to sources Parameshwara, who has been in the good books of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) president Sonia Gandhi, has been silently lobbying for the top post.
Some of his supporters, including former Hubballi Dharwad Corporation Mayor Anilkumar Patil, had met Sonia Gandhi in Delhi to submit a petition. Later some others had staged a demonstration outside Indira Bhavan while the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting was underway on December 27.
Some of the sympathizers of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, especially AHINDA leaders, have issued a statement that if he has to step down anytime in future Parameshwara should be given the top post and not Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Interestingly, a section of Dalit leaders led by Bilikere Raju in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah’s home turf, last Sunday urged that the latter should sacrifice the CM post to a Dalit leader, especially Parameshwara. “Only then we will take part in the AHINDA convention (slated to be held in Mysuru on January 25), otherwise we will skip it”, he warned.