<p>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. </p><p>Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain claimed that 100 party MLAs want Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to replace Siddaramaiah. </p><p>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. </p>.In setback for Siddaramaiah govt, Karnataka HC orders CBI probe into Valmiki Corporation scam.<p>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. </p><p>“This is an organisational exercise,” Surjewala insisted. “The crux is to understand how we can make our policies more responsive to people.” </p><p>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. </p><p>Slamming Hussain, Shivakumar said he did not need anybody to bat for his chief ministerial ambition. </p>.Yes, I am lucky. That's why I became CM: Siddaramaiah.<p>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.</p><p>According to sources, a few other MLAs are said to have told Surjewala that Shivakumar must be considered for the CM's job. </p><p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p><p>Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain claimed that 100 party MLAs want Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to replace Siddaramaiah. </p><p>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. </p>.In setback for Siddaramaiah govt, Karnataka HC orders CBI probe into Valmiki Corporation scam.<p>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. </p><p>“This is an organisational exercise,” Surjewala insisted. “The crux is to understand how we can make our policies more responsive to people.” </p><p>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. </p><p>Slamming Hussain, Shivakumar said he did not need anybody to bat for his chief ministerial ambition. </p>.Yes, I am lucky. That's why I became CM: Siddaramaiah.<p>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.</p><p>According to sources, a few other MLAs are said to have told Surjewala that Shivakumar must be considered for the CM's job. </p><p>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. </p>
