Dinesh downplays HDK’s take on RVD being CM frontrunner

KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday downplayed Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s veiled dig at former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who recently claimed that he nursed the hope of becoming chief minister again.

Kumaraswamy, while speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Thursday morning, said some people even wanted Revenue Minister R V Deshpande to become the next chief minister.

Addressing the media here, Rao said, “I don’t know what Deshpande has said. It’s futile to discuss this subject. The question does not even arise after the Congress has given unconditional support to the JD(S). There will be no changes for the next five years. Siddaramaiah himself has clarified on the matter. But nobody wants to hear him out. Yes, there are many CM-aspirants. Any of these leaders, be it Deshpande, Mallikarjun Kharge, D K Shivakumar or G Parameshwara, might be considered for the post -- but only during the next Assembly elections.”

On whether he will be inducted into the coordination committee, Rao said it was a party matter. “This is not a matter of public importance. It is a party matter. There is no urgency,” he added.

Rao said JD(S)-Congress government had made a “satisfactory and a good beginning”. “We have survived very comfortably, despite BJP’s many allegations. The government has successfully conducted the Legislature session and given a good budget. It has lived up to its commitment of waiving farm loans. The government has also put in place the debt relief Act. Except for a few issues, the government has done well. This good beginning has laid a strong foundation for the next five years. Karnataka should progress. Congress will support the government. Hopefully many more good things will materialise in future,” he added.

He also rubbished the BJP’s claims that the government has not taken off.

Seconding Rao, Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar said that the government had completed 100 days successfully. “The government is pro-people. It is catering to all sections of society. Though media is not satisfied with it, the people are. The government is for a unified Karnataka. It has taken effective calamity relief measures,” he added.