Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with D K Shivakumar and G Parameshwara
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The ruling Karnataka Congress attempted damage control Tuesday with top leaders denying discussions about a chief ministerial change on a day when one lawmaker was given a show-cause notice for claiming that over 100 MLAs want the incumbent Siddaramaiah to go.
Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain claimed that 100 party MLAs want Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to replace Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress president, issued a notice to Hussain for “indiscipline” and “embarrassing” statements, giving the MLA a week’s time to explain himself.
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is meeting MLAs for a review of the party and government, had to clarify that his stock-taking exercise was not to gather opinions on changing the CM.
“This is an organisational exercise,” Surjewala insisted. “The crux is to understand how we can make our policies more responsive to people.”
Shivakumar, too, stepped in to clarify. “There’s no discussion on leadership change. Nobody is in a hurry. For us, 2028 [when the next Assembly election is scheduled] is more important,” he said.
Slamming Hussain, Shivakumar said he did not need anybody to bat for his chief ministerial ambition.
But Hussain, a Shivakumar acolyte, stood his ground. In fact, he met Surjewala and asked for Shivakumar to be made the CM. “We want a change. Congress should come to power again and a change is needed for that. Shivakumar has toiled for the party to win 140 seats,” Hussain said. “I was asked not to speak to the media. But I have to. Siddaramaiah has had his chance. If Shivakumar is made CM, it’ll help the party,” he added.
According to sources, a few other MLAs are said to have told Surjewala that Shivakumar must be considered for the CM's job.
Meanwhile, Surjewala said he advised MLAs to keep discussions within the party's four walls. "If they have a problem, they shouldn't try and settle scores. I've asked them to raise it with the head of the family - Shivakumar in the party and CM in the government," he said.