Bengaluru, February 24 (IANS). Amid speculation about change of leadership in Karnataka Congress, state Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that it is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to control the ministers and MLAs.
Speaking to the media near his residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar reacted to the ongoing discussions on change of leadership and the issue of Dalit Chief Minister. He said, “It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to control the ministers and MLAs. As the party president, I give information about the matters related to the party to the high command.”
Shivkumar said that he regularly discusses with senior Congress leader and Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who is considered a supporter of the Chief Minister. “Jarkiholi is a senior leader and has worked with me as working president. We talk once a week. We are like-minded and are planning a strategy to bring the party back to power,” he said.
On the demand of Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa to make Dalit Chief Minister in case of vacancy in the post of Chief Minister, Shivkumar taunted and said that maybe Mahadevappa had some knowledge about the change of leadership, hence he raised this issue.
He said, “I have seen his statement. Apart from this there is no discussion. Since he is also part of the high command, he might be aware of any change. I have no such information.”
When asked whether the party high command had summoned him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Delhi, he said he had not received any such call. However, he has to go to Delhi in connection with departmental work.
He said that Rs 1 lakh crore is being allocated for urban development schemes and they will discuss preparing proposals for the development of tier II and III cities.
When some MLAs wrote letters demanding inclusion of new faces in the cabinet, Shivakumar said that he is in favor of including new faces in the cabinet.
He said, “Everyone has a desire to become a minister. The new generation and new ideas should get a chance. I have been a minister for 36 years. How long will we continue in the posts? The party will take the final decision.” However, he clarified that the decision on cabinet expansion is the right of the Chief Minister.
–IANS
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