Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bengaluru: The power play between the top two leaders in the ruling Congress in Karnataka took an interesting turn on Sunday with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar praising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as "our undisputed leader", while indirectly hitting out at the latter's close aides for "misusing" the CM's name.
The Karnataka Congress president played his latest move on the political chessboard close on the heels of reports that he had proposed to the Congress High Command a Cabinet reshuffle to drop “non-performing” ministers.
"Siddaramaiah is our undisputed leader, no doubt. We need him for all elections, including panchayat, taluk level polls, MLA and MLC elections. He is a two-time CM, and is doing good work. There is no need to take his name everyday and misuse it, it's unnecessary. These things should not become food for the media," Shivakumar told reporters at the KPCC office after re-inducting leaders L R Shivarame Gowda and Brijesh Kalappa to the party.
His response came in apparent response to the new pitch by ministers and leaders loyal to Siddaramaiah that the chief minister was “indispensable” to the party if it wanted to retain power in the state.
The pitch from the CM’s camp, including statements by ministers like Satish Jarkiholi and K N Rajanna, came after reports that Shivakumar had sought a Cabinet reshuffle to drop "non-performing" ministers.
On February 14, DH reported that the list of such ministers included some close confidants of Siddaramaiah like Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna, Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa, Housing and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan and Urban Development Minister B S Suresha (Byrathi). Some of these leaders have been seeking a new KPCC chief, replacing Shivakumar, citing the issue of him holding 'dual positions'.
When asked why such "confusing" statements are made, the deputy chief minister said: "There is no confusion. The Congress observes everything daily."
However, later in the day when Shivakumar, also the Bengaluru Development Minister, was on rounds in the city, his followers welcomed him with slogans, calling him "the next chief minister".