'Clearly no': Cong's straight reply on CM-change reports; Siddaramaiah to stay at top post
NEW DELHI: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, sent to Karnataka as a troubleshooter by the party high command, said on Tuesday that there would be no change in leadership and Siddaramaiah will continue as chief minister.
Surjewala's remark cleared the air that there might be growing crevices between CM Siddharamaih and his deputy DK Shivakumar , which could ultimately lead to wider turmoil in the Karnataka Congress .
"We are not taking an opinion on leadership change in Karnataka," Surjewala said, according to news agency PTI.
Surjewala, who is also the Karnataka Congress incharge, said his meeting with Karnataka MLAs was to "evaluate work they have done in their segments".
Earlier in the day, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge clarified that there was "no discontentment" and "no talks of change in CM's face", asserting that Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, DK Shivakumar his deputy and Karnataka unit President.
"When the high command has clearly stated, there is nothing of that sort in the decision-making process, then it doesn't matter who says what. Everyone's roles have been very well defined. Siddaramaiah is the CM, DK Shivakumar is the PCC President and the deputy CM," Kharge told news agency ANI.
He also stated that everyone has a right to voice their concerns at an appropriate forum and advised the disgruntled legislators to speak to the party high command.
"Everyone is free to express their opinions at the right forum. If anyone has any problem with the state leadership, they need to speak to the party's High Command, and not the media... There is no fire burning, there is no discontentment... There are no talks of change in CM's face... When the AICC President, the PCC President, and the CM have very clearly stated everything, how does it matter what others say?" he added.
On Monday, CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar presented a united front, holding hands before the media and reaffirming the stability of the Congress government in the state.
Asked whether he and Shivakumar were on good terms, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative. He then raised Shivakumar's hand in a display of unity. On questions about alleged rifts, he said, "We don't listen to what others say," as Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
Surjewala's remark cleared the air that there might be growing crevices between CM Siddharamaih and his deputy DK Shivakumar , which could ultimately lead to wider turmoil in the Karnataka Congress .
Amid CM Change Buzz In Karnataka, Kharge Gives 'High Command' Hint, Surjewala Meets Congress MLAs
"We are not taking an opinion on leadership change in Karnataka," Surjewala said, according to news agency PTI.
Surjewala, who is also the Karnataka Congress incharge, said his meeting with Karnataka MLAs was to "evaluate work they have done in their segments".
Earlier in the day, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge clarified that there was "no discontentment" and "no talks of change in CM's face", asserting that Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, DK Shivakumar his deputy and Karnataka unit President.
"When the high command has clearly stated, there is nothing of that sort in the decision-making process, then it doesn't matter who says what. Everyone's roles have been very well defined. Siddaramaiah is the CM, DK Shivakumar is the PCC President and the deputy CM," Kharge told news agency ANI.
He also stated that everyone has a right to voice their concerns at an appropriate forum and advised the disgruntled legislators to speak to the party high command.
"Everyone is free to express their opinions at the right forum. If anyone has any problem with the state leadership, they need to speak to the party's High Command, and not the media... There is no fire burning, there is no discontentment... There are no talks of change in CM's face... When the AICC President, the PCC President, and the CM have very clearly stated everything, how does it matter what others say?" he added.
On Monday, CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar presented a united front, holding hands before the media and reaffirming the stability of the Congress government in the state.
Asked whether he and Shivakumar were on good terms, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative. He then raised Shivakumar's hand in a display of unity. On questions about alleged rifts, he said, "We don't listen to what others say," as Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
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