Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday hinted that he too was a contender in the race to become the Chief Minister, should a leadership change occur in the state, and amid persistent demands for a "Dalit CM." However, attempting to downplay reports concerning confusion within the party over the issue of a Chief Minister change, he stressed that no one from the Congress high command has commented on the matter so far, nor has it been discussed within the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).
The senior Congress leader further said that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge would decide on any leadership change, if necessary, after discussing the issue with top party leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently abroad.
Speculation about a Chief Minister change has gained momentum in the state after the Congress government reaching the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, an event some refer to as the "November revolution."
This speculation cites an alleged "power-sharing" agreement involving CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar dating back to 2023. The government completed the term of 2.5 years on November 20.
"I'm always in the race, it is not a big issue. I was the Pradesh Congress Committee President in 2013, we brought the Congress government to power (in the 2013 Assembly polls). I never claimed credit for it solely. I lost in that poll. Had I won, what would have happened, I don't know," Parameshwara said when asked if he was in the CM race.
Speaking to reporters, he added: "I was in the race then, naturally, as there is a convention in the Congress party where the PCC president is often given a chance (to become CM), but it is not followed in some situations...." When asked if he would approach the high command to consider him in case of a leadership change, Parameshwara replied: "Let that situation come, such a situation has not come." He dismissed his name doing the rounds as a likely CM candidate amidst the reported "fight" for the top post between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, terming it a media creation.
When questioned about the demand for a "Dalit CM" in case of a leadership change, citing repeated meetings involving ministers from the SC/ST community, including himself, HC Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi, and others, Parameshwara replied: "There is demand for a Dalit to become CM for long."
"Will it happen, just because we meet," he asked, clarifying that they have met several times to discuss issues relating to the community, such as internal reservation among SCs. "Should we not discuss our issues. Some of us, likeminded people, meet and discuss things," he stated. The subject of installing a Dalit as CM has been a long-running, on-and-off debate within the Congress, with senior leaders from the community having raised the matter in the past.
The Minister clarified that he currently has no plans to meet Kharge and stated that all decisions in the Congress are made involving the high command. He asked whether anyone from the high command has made any statement regarding a leadership change or cabinet reshuffle. He reiterated that Siddaramaiah was chosen as CM at the CLP meeting after the 2023 Assembly polls, with AICC observers present, and that no mention was made of a 2.5-year term then.
"Siddaramaiah was chosen as the CM then, he is there as the CM. If CM has to be changed in between, it is left to the high command. We cannot do it.....if the situation comes they will do it. It was done in the past, Veerappa Moily replaced S Bangarappa as Chief Minister," he said, adding that he does not believe such a situation has arisen now.
He concluded that Kharge will discuss the situation with Rahul Gandhi and decide upon his return. "AICC President is from Karnataka. No one probably knows the state politics better than him. He will decide, no one needs to tell him," he asserted.
Also read: Shivakumar loyalists seek power shift in Karnataka
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