Siddaramaiah says no immediate leadership change in Karnataka, will abide by any decision from Congress high command

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, May 6, ruled out the possibility of an immediate leadership change in the state and said that the government will complete its full five-year term successfully.

Speaking to mediapersons at the Mysuru airport, Siddaramaiah asserted that he will abide by any decision taken by the party’s high command regarding a leadership change in the state. He further assured people that he had no information about any such move right now. Also, Siddaramaiah is open to travelling to the national capital if called by the party leadership.

Advertisement

This comes after Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar visited Delhi and met the national leadership after the conclusion of byelections in the state. Shivakumar is being looked upon as a strong contender for the Karnataka Chief Minister’s post.

Post Shivakumar’s visit, a group of cabinet ministers, who are considered loyal to Siddaramaiah, met the Congress high command in the national capital and asked to clear the confusion regarding the matter.

According to IANS, a few senior MLAs from the party were also planning to visit Delhi.

Recently, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Chief Minister of Karnataka will not change in the near future.

“If there is any question of changing the Chief Minister, we will all sit together and discuss it. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and all of us will deliberate on the matter,” he said.

On being asked about the local body polls, Siddaramaiah said these elections will be conducted soon.

While talking about the Sringeri election result and recount row, the Chief Minister alleged that the BJP had engaged in a “criminal conspiracy” during the counting process. He has claimed that 255 valid votes polled in favour of Congress leader TD Rajegowda were declared invalid and alleged that the BJP, which was in power at the time of counting, manipulated ballot papers through officials.