Will issue notices now: Shivakumar on CM post comments

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru / Dharwad: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday threatened to issue notices to party members who have been issuing statements violating the party’s guidelines.

The comment comes in the backdrop of a torrent of comments pouring in either in support of CM Siddaramaiah continuing in his post for five years or Shivakumar becoming the head of government later on in the tenure.

“We will issue notices to those who have made statements in breach of the party’s instructions,” Shivakumar said.

His response was in reply to a question by a mediaperson during his official visit to Hubballi. When pressed about Siddaramaiah’s statement from a day prior that he would continue as CM for the full five-year-term, Shivakumar tried to downplay it.

“We both (him and Siddaramaiah) took our oaths only after the high command took a decision. Did we tell you something of note back then? Why do you needlessly fabricate a subject of your own accord? All of this is unnecessary,” he said, adding that power was not property to be shared.

Shivakumar has warned of notices before and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala had recently warned party members that they shouldn’t violate “party discipline” and refrain from speaking on power sharing in public.

Back in May, the Congress central leadership had decided on Siddaramaiah as the CM in keeping with the popular vote of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

However, this did not sit well with CM aspirant and Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar. The party high command reportedly convinced Shivakumar to wait for half a term before he was sworn in as the CM.

Shivakumar also negotiated the condition that he would be the solitary Deputy CM. The two leaders and the first batch of Cabinet ministers were sworn in on May 20.

Parameshwara CM next: Rajanna

As if to thumb his nose at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and AICC leadership, Co-operation Minister and Siddaramaiah loyalist KN Rajanna said that current Home Minister G Parameshwara would hold the CM’s post next.

“After Siddaramaiah exits, Parameshwara will become the chief minister,” Rajanna told mediapersons, adding that his predictions had always come true.

It is to be noted that Rajanna and Parameshwara are both Tumakuru natives. Rajanna is the Madhugiri MLA while Parameshwara represents Korategere.

This isn’t the first time Rajanna has triggered a controversy. Back in September, Rajanna had publically suggested that he would approach the high command and demand three deputy CMs.