Mallikarjun Kharge never regretted not becoming CM: Priyank Kharge

New Delhi: IT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday said his father, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge never regretted not becoming Karnataka Chief Minister.

"The media deliberately twisted his statement. My father just recalled past events in his lengthy political career. He never expressed regret for not becoming the CM," he said.

"The party has given him several positions. He is now serving as the all India president. So why does he have any regrets," he told media persons here.

Kharge was replying to a query by media persons on his father's remark made during a programme in Vijayapura earlier this week about missing a chance to become the CM.

To a question on filing a complaint against his family, " Several complaints have been filed against our family and family members earlier also. There is nothing new in it. We are ready to face it."

To a question on change of leadership in Karnataka, he said, “At present the CM post is not vacant in the state and it is the BJP that is fuelling such speculation in an attempt to divert attention from its own shortcomings.”

Several leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, General Secretary ( incharge Karnataka) Randeep Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shiva Kumar many times clarified that there is no change of guard in the state.

"So, that matter is laid to rest and the seat is not vacant,"he said.