"Looks like D.K. Shivakumar will be...": Former Karnataka Minister Madhu Bangarappa on name of new CM
Bengaluru, May 29
Ahead of Congress Legislative Party meeting convened for Saturday regarding the election of Karnataka's new Chief Minister, former Karnataka Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Friday stressed the possibility of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar taking the position of the new CM of the State.
The development follows the resignation of Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, he said that the process to elect the new Karnataka Chief Minister is going smoothly and the decision will be taken after the CLP meeting.
"It is going to be very smooth. You know, really, it's the greatness of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Though there were a lot of speculations in the media, where a lot of things are going to erupt or something like that, I think the high command and Siddaramaiah have really handled it very well. And then, it's now the next phase we'll have to go. And I think that's it, it's a high command call. And I think it looks like D.K. Shivakumar will be, you know, that Congress Legislative Party is there, then after that, then so on, the procedure will start," he said.
Upon asking Shivakumar's statement, calling himself a disciple of Siddaramaiah, the former Karnataka Minister said that Shivakumar has a very close bond with the outgoing CM.
"That is his gratitude always, you know, he had been with my father since the age of 27. He was made jail minister. And so many times he has said, 'Bangarappa sir had told, 'I'm going to make you jail minister because you should become Chief Minister.' This is the way he remembers my father, and that is the kind of attachment that my father and D.K. Shivakumar had. And I think it's great, and it's very nice to hear that, you know, that bonding is there, such a big bonding with my father," he noted.
Further, he said that the CLP is scheduled to take place on Saturday, after which the high command is expected to make the final decision regarding the new CM of Karnataka.
"CLP is tomorrow. Then after that, they will elect CLP leader, and then as early as possible, I think they'll get into cabinet formation and oath-taking and all. I think that high command will take a call, we'll not have any say in that. So, I really don't want to comment much on that. I think high command will take the call," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows Indian politics from abroad, the way Congress handles leadership transitions is very different from other parties. The high command culture seems quite strong here - no internal democracy, just a few people deciding everything. Still, Shivakumar has done good work as deputy CM.
Madhu Bangarappa's words carry weight since his father was CM. The way he describes DK Shivakumar's bond with Bangarappa sahab is touching. Political loyalty across generations is rare these days. Hope Shivakumar gets the chance he deserves - Vokkaliga community has been waiting long for their turn. 🙏
The Congress party seems to be managing this transition with less drama than I expected. Usually these things get messy. But the real question is: what agenda will the new CM push? Karnataka needs infrastructure push, water crisis solution, and better industrial policy.
I hope whoever becomes CM focuses on Bengaluru's traffic problems and lake pollution. The city is choking. These power games in Congress don't matter to common people - we just want good governance. If Shivakumar can deliver on that, he'll get my support. 😊
The high command deciding everything is both a strength and weakness. On one hand, it prevents factional fights; on the other, it stifles internal democracy. But let's be real - DK Shivakumar has earned this. He managed the Karnataka elections brilliantly and kept the party together. Time for a Vokkaliga CM after so many years.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.