Cong warns of action against leaders in Karnataka airing public remarks on cabinet reshuffle, leadership change

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Cracking the whip on party legislators, leaders and Ministers against making open remarks on issues such as cabinet reshuffle and leadership change, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday warned of action against those violating party discipline.

He spoke to reporters after a meeting with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, state Congress (KPCC) President D K Shivakumar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, regarding issues related to the party, and the government in the state and preparations for 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"We have briefly discussed the issue of various statements that were made by some of our Ministers and MLAs and I have told KPCC President -- anybody falling out of party line, we have warned and I again warn very clearly and categorically -- no Minister, no MLA, no party leader should be violating the party discipline," Surjewala said.

Certain recent developments in the state Congress indicate that all is not well within the ruling party that swept to power by ousting BJP with a thumping majority in 2023 Assembly polls held in May.

Responding to a specific question on statements by certain MLAs about cabinet reshuffle, he said, no party MLA is authorised to say such things, and what the party will do is within the party forum.

Regarding remarks about CM or leadership change, Surjewala said they are completely out of line and that legislators and Ministers have been warned against it, saying it is not their duty or job.

Congress' Mandya MLA Ravikumar Gowda's (Ravi Ganiga) recent claim that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will become the CM after two-and-half years of the government's tenure, had created a buzz within the ruling party circles, with some Ministers asserting that incumbent Siddaramaiah will complete full term, and a few others saying it is for the high command to decide.

Debate about the possibility of cabinet reshuffle had come to fore, with government's Chief Whip in the Legislative Assembly Ashok Pattan recently claiming that Surjewala and Venugopal have assured him that there will be a Cabinet reshuffle after two-and-a-half years, in which senior leaders like him will be accommodated.

Also, recent developments such as Siddaramaiah's dinner meeting at Home Minister G Parameshwara's residence along with a couple of Ministers and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi -- who is said to be miffed -- reportedly planning a trip to Dubai along with 50 former and current legislators, and pitch for three more Deputy Chief Ministers -- have added to lot of speculations within the ruling Congress in the state.

Noting that issues of formation of various boards and corporations were discussed at today's meeting, Surejewala said two ot three more rounds of discussions are likely to be held in this regard, and the party is looking at appointing both party carders as well as legislators (both MLAs and MLCs) as heads of these bodies.

"The discussions will continue. I'm incharge of poll bound Madhya Pradesh currently. Elections will be over on November 17 there, and immediately I will be back here to carry forward the discussion on appointments to boards and corporations," he said.