Bengaluru, February 24 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar strongly supported the induction of "new blood" into the cabinet on Tuesday, asserting that the old guard cannot continue indefinitely and that fresh thinking is essential for the party's future.
Speaking to reporters here, he backed the demand of first-time MLAs to give them a place in the cabinet.
"The party needs new blood and new thinking. I support fresh blood," the deputy CM said, highlighting the need for generational change.
"The old guard can't stay forever," Shivakumar, who is also the Congress state president, maintained.
He was responding to a query on first-time MLAs writing to senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking representation in the state cabinet during the proposed reshuffle.
In a joint representation addressed to the Congress high command and the state leadership, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the legislators urged that at least five first-time MLAs be inducted as ministers.
"As you are aware, the people of Karnataka have elected 38 members to the legislative assembly from the Indian National Congress for the first time and thereby sent out a clear message that they want to see new young faces in the Legislature," the MLAs said in their letter.
Shivakumar also reacted to remarks by his cabinet colleague H C Mahadevappa on the Dalit chief minister issue, even as he maintained that he had no information about any leadership change in the state.
"I saw Mahadevappa's statement. He is our high command, and he may have some information. I don't have any information on this," the deputy CM said.
Asked whether the party high command had summoned him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Delhi, he clarified, "I haven’t got any calls. I have to visit Delhi for some work related to my department."
Referring to central funds for urban development, he said the Centre was releasing Rs 1 lakh crore but had indicated it was not meant for bigger cities.
"I will discuss it with the urban development minister and ask them to prepare a proposal for tier two and three cities in the state," he added.
On criticism that, as Congress state president, he had remained silent over statements by ministers, Shivakumar said, "It is the CM who has to regulate the ministers and MLAs. I am doing the job of communicating it to the party."
