Karnataka to get new Chief Minister soon? Siddaramaiah says ‘we will go by…’

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah broached the possibility of a leadership change on Monday amid a brewing political tussle within the ruling Congress. The development came mere days after a Vokkaliga seer publicly requested the CM to step down and make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar.

“It is not a matter to be discussed in public. Whatever decision the high command takes, we will go by it. I don’t want to comment on what Swami ji said. Ours is a national party. There is a high command,” the Chief Minister said.

Recent reports indicate that several Karnataka ministers close to Siddaramaiah have also called for the creation of addition Deputy CM posts — given to leaders from Lingayat, SC, ST, and minority communities. 

Deputy CM Shivakumar has since warned leaders to avoid issuing public statements about the two issues. He insisted that there was "no demand" for more Deputy CMs and suggested that some people just wanted to have their names in the news.

Meanwhile the BJP claimed that the fight for additional Deputy CM posts was causing considerable confusion. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress of “taking revenge on the people” as it had been “nearly wiped out in Karnataka”. The Karnataka BJP also held statewide demonstrations over the Valmiki Development Corporation scam last week to demand Siddaramaiah's resignation.

The calls for change gained momentum last week after a seer — Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math — pitched for Shivakumar to become CM. The remarks were made during the Kempegowda Jayanti event while Siddaramaiah was present on the dais. Another prominent Veerashaiva-Lingayat seer (Balehonnur Rambhapuri seer Veera Someshwara Shivacharya Swamy) has also also pitched for a leader from the community to be considered for the top post in case there is a leadership change or in the event of creation of additional deputy CM posts. 

While the party is yet to comment on the calls for change in leadership, neither Shivakumar nor Siddaramaiah have made any secret of their desire to assume the Chief Ministerial mantle. 

A section within the Congress is of the opinion that the statement by the ministers seeking three more Deputy CMs, was part of a plan by Siddaramaiah's camp to keep Shivakumar in check, amid talks he might seek the CM post after two-and-half years of this government's tenure, and to counter his influence both in the government and party.

(With inputs from agencies)