Comments indicating CM change are personal, 'Lakshman Rekha' shouldn't be crossed: Karnataka HM

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday termed statements made by some leaders within the ruling Congress, indicating Chief Minister change in the state, as personal opinion, and said one should not cross the "Lakshman Rekha" drawn by the party.

While speaking to reporters, he was responding to certain recent comments made by some party leaders, which led to speculations about a leadership change in Karnataka later this year.

Congress MLA, H A Iqbal Hussain, has claimed that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become the Chief Minister of the state in two-three months; while Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna has indicated "revolutionary" political developments in the state after September.

Responding to a question about statements by party leaders on leadership change, Parameshwara said, "Individually, they have expressed their opinions, to some extent I don't think it is wrong, but then again, there is a Lakshman Rekha drawn by the party, beyond the point one shouldn't go. Probably the AICC will look into it, through the General Secretary in charge." Asked about Rajanna's statement indicating "revolutionary" political developments in the state after September, he said he didn't know anything about it.

There have been speculations within political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now, about the chief minister change later this year, citing a power-sharing agreement (which was not public) involving incumbent Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. But such talks had taken a backseat for some time, after strong instructions from the party high command.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala is visiting the state and will be holding separate meetings with party legislators.

Responding to a question on this, the home minister said. "Surjewala ji is our in-charge General Secretary of AICC, he keeps visiting Karnataka to look into various aspects, not necessarily governmental issues. Politically, in terms of strengthening the party, party programmes, and obviously, if there are any disturbances in the party or the government, naturally, as an in-charge General Secretary, he will guide us." Also, there were some statements by certain MLAs during the last couple of weeks, and he may also look into them, he added.

Parameshwara was referring to disgruntlement within the ruling Congress, with some legislators speaking openly against their own party government's functioning.

Congress MLA from Aland constituency, B R Patil, had recently alleged bribery in the allotment of public housing under the Housing department; while MLA Raju Kage, who represents Kagwad assembly constituency had hinted at resigning, citing delays in developmental works and the release of funds, while alleging that the administration had "completely collapsed".

Their open remarks have embarrassed the ruling Congress, with opposition BJP and JD(S) using it to target the government, accusing it of rampant corruption and demanding the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.

To a question on RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's call for reviewing the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Constitution, Parameshwara said, RSS and BJP have kept the issue of emergency alive for obvious reasons, it is a political decision which they have taken, and the AICC will handle it.

"The constitution is a time-tested one, while others are appreciating the Indian constitution, within the country, we try to comment and say 'do this, do that'. I don't think it is necessary right now. I don't know what their (RSS/BJP) agenda is within, but definitely it doesn't go well in the democratic setup at the moment," he added.