Nothing wrong with what I proposed': K N Rajanna reiterates pitch for 3 more Deputy CMs

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Reiterating his pitch for three more Deputy Chief Ministers in Karnataka, Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna on Wednesday said there is nothing wrong with what he has proposed, as it keeps in mind the Congress party's interests in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

It is not based on anyone's instigation, he clarified. Pushing for Deputy Chief Minister posts to be given to leaders from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities, he rubbished talks that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had asked him to float such an idea.

The minister had first spoken about it on September 16, and said he would discuss it with the Congress high command.

"Three more DCMs I have suggested are based on caste or community, I'm unable to understand what's wrong with it? I have urged the high command in this regard in the interest of the party. If the high command feels it is right they will implement it, if they feel it is not right they will leave it, there is nothing wrong in it," Rajanna said.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "According to some media reports, my statements proposing three more DCMs are based on what Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked me to say. Neither have I met Siddaramaiah on this, nor have I proposed it before him. There has been no discussion with him on this."

Currently, D K Shivakumar from the Vokkaliga community is the only Deputy Chief Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. He is also the state Congress President.

A section of the Congress is said to be of the opinion that Rajanna's statement was part of a plan by Siddaramaiah's camp to keep Shivakumar in check, amid talks that 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 the party.