Basavaraj Rayareddi predicts Kharge may become PM after September

Hubballi: Predicting that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge may become the prime minister after September if PM Narendra Modi steps down as per RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark of political leaders should retire at 75 years of age, Chief Minister's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy on Monday stated that the NDA may lose majority if Modi steps down, Congress may come to power, and Kharge may become the PM, as Gandhi family has the history of sacrificing top posts.

"If Modi steps down, JDU and TDP may withdraw support, and then the Congress has the chance. Rahul Gandhi is the first and natural choice for the PM's post. But, Gandhi family has the history of making sacrifice, as Sonia Gandhi had sacrificed the PM's post earlier. Who knows? There may be a surprise? Kharge, a senior leader who has made a lot of contributions, may become the PM then," Rayareddi said.

Recalling that he had expressed this wish in the Belagavi session of the State Legislature also, Rayareddi said, "Kharge is turning 83 today, and nobody can match him regarding his contributions to the country, society and party".

My wish is that BJP leaders' sarcastic question of "will Congress make Kharge, a dalit and a senior, the PM?" may come true.

Stating that Kharge is not an acting president of the AICC but is powerful, and he meant the high command as the CWC which takes decisions collectively after taking MLA's opinion on issues like choosing the CM.

On MLAs' funds

Clarifying that Siddaramaiah would complete a full five-year term as the CM, Rayareddi said there is no link between AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala's visit to Karnataka and the decision to give Rs 50 crore special funds to Congress MLAs and Rs 25 crore to Opposition MLAs.

"For this purpose, I had proposed to reserve Rs 8,000 crore. As Rs 7,000 special funds were given to BBMP, 28 MLAs would not get the special grants now, but they can get funds from the BBMP based on need. All MLAs in Kalyana Karnataka irrespective of their party would get Rs 25 crore only, as their segments come under KKRDB. They can be given more only if needed. Only 101 Congress MLAs would get Rs 50 crore each, 27 Congress MLAs will get Rs 25 crore each, and Rs 25 crore each would be given to 68 Opposition MLAs. Rs 7,425 crore would be given to MLAs as special grant based on need, but Rs 8,000 crore is reserved, to meet additional demand," Rayareddi explained.

MLAs have to fill up a proforma, and CM Siddaramaiah would personally discuss with them on September 30, 31 and August 3. State government is financially strong, and Opposition should join hands to get the pending amount from the Centre to make Karnataka more prosperous, Yalburga MLA added.