Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Expresses Confidence in Congress Leadership Amid Transition Speculations
Siddaramaiah's Trust in Congress Leadership
On Tuesday, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his unwavering trust in the Congress high command. This statement comes amid speculations regarding a potential change in leadership as the Congress government marks the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20. Siddaramaiah stated, "I have complete faith in the high command. I believe I will serve my full term as Chief Minister. Whatever happens, the high command will decide, and their decision will be final." Reflecting on his political journey, he noted, "At one point, I thought just being an MLA would be enough. However, I have served as an MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, and now as Chief Minister."
Meeting with AICC General Secretary
Discussing his recent meeting with AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, the Chief Minister clarified that there were no political discussions or talks of a cabinet reshuffle during their encounter. He mentioned that he was en route to Delhi via Bengaluru, which facilitated the meeting. "That was all there was to it; no political discussions took place. I did not even bring up the topic of cabinet changes. Whenever the high command calls me to Delhi regarding cabinet reshuffles, I will go," he added.
Internal Power Struggles in Congress
The ongoing debate regarding the Chief Minister's position reflects the internal power struggles within the Congress party. This controversy gained momentum as the government reached the midpoint of its term, raising questions about leadership changes. Key figures in this scenario include Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who is also a prominent Dalit leader.
Violence During Unveiling of Statue
In addition, regarding the violence that occurred during the unveiling of the statue of Maharishi Valmiki, Siddaramaiah emphasized that the report has not yet been received. He mentioned plans to discuss the matter with the Home Minister in Bengaluru about handing it over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He remarked, "The JD(S) and BJP are politicizing this issue. The investigation is ongoing. Let the report come in; I will speak after that. Today, I will discuss with the Home Minister about transferring the case to the CID."