Bengaluru, March 3 – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday refrained from commenting on a statement made by veteran Congress leader Veerappa Moily, who suggested that Shivakumar's ascension to the chief minister's post in the near future was a "settled matter."
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, described Moily's remarks as a personal opinion and reiterated that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had instructed party leaders and workers to avoid public discussion on the issue of leadership change.
In response to questions from the media, Shivakumar stated, "I won't say anything about that, there is no need for it. He (Moily) has shared his opinion. Kharge has said no one should speak, I will comply with it."
Moily's statement, made on Sunday, triggered renewed speculation within the state’s political circles regarding a potential change in leadership, especially under a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" arrangement. The former chief minister emphasized that it was only a matter of time before Shivakumar assumed the top position, marking a strong endorsement of his political trajectory.
Shivakumar, a prominent aspirant for the CM position, has been openly vocal about his ambitions. This sentiment has been echoed by Congress MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga, who suggested on Sunday that Shivakumar would take over as the chief minister by December, and serve for a term of 7.5 years, extending beyond the next assembly elections.
However, not all leaders are in agreement. Several ministers and leaders closely aligned with incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have strongly rejected the possibility of a leadership change. They assert that Siddaramaiah will remain in office and complete a full five-year term.
Despite the swirling rumors, Kharge's firm stance has been clear: he has cautioned party members to focus on governance and avoid making public statements about leadership changes.
The rivalry between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the CM post was a significant point of contention after the May 2023 Assembly elections. However, the Congress party eventually reached an agreement, naming Shivakumar as Deputy Chief Minister. There were unconfirmed reports at the time suggesting that the party had agreed to a "rotational" arrangement, which would see Shivakumar become the CM after two-and-a-half years. However, this formula has not been officially acknowledged by the party leadership.
As the political narrative in Karnataka continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the Congress party's leadership decisions, with speculation about the future of the CM's post intensifying in the coming months.
Last updated by a enewsx: