K'taka leadership row: Shivakumar declines to comment on Yathindra's 'Satish Jarkiholi as CM' remark
Bengaluru, Oct 24
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, while declining to comment on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s statement projecting Minister Satish Jarkiholi as his father’s successor, maintained that he would convey the message to the appropriate quarters.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, Shivakumar, when asked whether he would issue a notice to Yathindra, said: “I won’t talk about the matter now. I will convey the message where it should reach.â€
“I stand by discipline. Discipline is the priority of my party,†Shivakumar underlined. The statements are likely to trigger a major controversy within the ruling Congress, as the Siddaramaiah camp is also expected to respond to Shivakumar’s remarks.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that a report on Yathindra’s statement, along with a video clip of his announcement, has already been sent to the party high command by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). The Shivakumar camp is confident that the national leadership will take note of the message conveyed through Yathindra’s remarks.
Congress MLC Rajendra Rajanna, son of former minister K.N. Rajanna—who was dropped from the cabinet for contradicting Rahul Gandhi on the voter fraud issue—said: “Yathindra’s statements are personal. He has spoken about a leadership change after 2.5 years, suggesting that PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi should be made the Chief Minister after this term, keeping in mind the leadership of oppressed communities. He has not implied that things will change immediately. Regarding the notice to Yathindra, the decision will be taken by the party president.â€
“The Congress Legislature Party and the high command will decide on the Chief Minister’s post. In the CLP meeting, MLAs will elect their leader, and whoever is chosen will become the Chief Minister,†he added.
Two-time Congress MLA K.H. Ranganath, a staunch supporter of Shivakumar, stated: “Shivakumar represents the ideology of the Congress government, which is to take all religions and communities together. Similarly, our Chief Minister also represents the same ideology. There is no confusion. As State Party President, Shivakumar is taking everyone along.â€
“It is my opinion that Dy CM Shivakumar should become the CM one day or the other. I am not a big person to say that he should become the CM at a particular time. The decisions are taken by MLAs and the party, and whenever a decision is made, our wish will come true,†he maintained.
In a major development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, stated that his father is in the fag end of his political career. He further said that, at this crucial juncture, Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi would take the lead in guiding those who follow scientific and progressive thought.
The statements have assumed significance amid rumours of a leadership change and discussions surrounding a power-sharing agreement in Karnataka.
Yathindra said: “Today, my father is at the end of his political career. He is in the final stage of his political life. At this hour, for those who embrace scientific and progressive ideas, Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi will take responsibility and provide leadership.â€
“Minister Satish Jarkiholi will also take the lead in showing the path to all those who believe in the ideology of the Congress party. I have full faith that he will lead by example in this regard. It is rare to find leaders committed to ideology. Minister Satish Jarkiholi has taken up that responsibility, and I request him to continue his work in this direction,†Yathindra added.
—IANS
— IANS
Reader Comments
Shivakumar handled this very diplomatically. He's showing true leadership by maintaining party discipline instead of reacting emotionally. This is what we need in our politicians!
As someone who has lived in Karnataka for 5 years, I find this political drama fascinating. Yathindra's comments about his father being in the "fag end" of his career seem quite disrespectful though. Family members should stay out of political succession talks.
Satish Jarkiholi is a strong leader from the oppressed communities and has done good work in his constituency. But the timing of this statement is all wrong. This will only create confusion in the party. ðŸ™
Why are we discussing CM succession when the government hasn't even completed half its term? Let them focus on development work first. Bengaluru needs better infrastructure, not political drama.
Interesting to see how political families operate in Indian politics. The son making statements about his father's successor shows how deeply entrenched family politics has become. Quite different from Western political systems.
I appreciate that Shivakumar is prioritizing party discipline. In a diverse state like Karnataka, unity is crucial. Hope the high command handles this wisely without creating factions. ðŸ‘