More Dy CMs’ induction left to high command, says DKS

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said that the prospect of sharing his position with more Cabinet colleagues was left to the high command.

He was reacting to questions by mediapersons at the Thursday night meeting called by Minister for Public Works Satish Jarkiholi.

Home Minister G Parameshwara, Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, Co-operation Minister KN Rajanna and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao attended the meeting that lasted roughly between 9 pm and 11 pm.

Most of the attendants were Dalits and tribals, besides being in the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp. One of the things they discussed was additional Deputy CMs.

Satish Jarkiholi, who comes from the Nayaka community, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Parameshwara, a Dalit, are seen as probable candidates for the Deputy CM posts.

“The high command will answer this. I can’t. It is not the issue to be discussed. We have to win the parliamentary elections and for that to happen, we have to work in unison,” Shivakumar said.

It is to be noted that it was Rajanna who batted for three more Deputy CMs originally back in September and had been advised by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala to not discuss the issue in public.

Unfazed, he has given the call again in the backdrop of the electoral debacles in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, claiming that better representation would boost their political fortunes.

The minister also sought a meeting with Surjewala over the issue. In October, Parameshwara hosting a dinner at his place with Siddaramaiah and his loyalist ministers had also created a buzz.

The Home Minister has also publically desired the CM’s post as well. Rajanna on the other hand, said that more Deputy CMs from marginalised communities would help Congress in the Lok Sabha elections.

BJP state prez alleges instability

BJP state president BY Vijayendra said that the rush to induct more Deputy CMs might make the State government fall, triggering early Assembly polls.

“I don’t know when the need for Assembly elections will arise. You see it in the papers. Right now, they have a chief minister and another deputy chief minister. They’re saying they want another five deputy chief ministers. The reason offered is to ensure victory in Lok Sabha elections. They’re saying they can’t win with a single chief minister and deputy chief minister,” he said.