NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday dismissed speculation of a leadership change, denying that the issue was discussed with the Congress high command.
Siddaramaiah appeared visibly frustrated when asked about his meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.
“How many times do I have to tell you? It (speculation around the Karnataka CM post) was not discussed at all. This issue was not brought up with the high command,” Siddaramaiah said.
His comments come amid renewed buzz about a potential leadership reshuffle in Karnataka. On Thursday, several key ministers from the state cabinet met with Kharge in Delhi, fuelling speculation that a change in the chief minister’s post could happen later this year.
According to reports, both Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar were expecting a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. However, Rahul skipped the meeting and proceeded to Bhubaneswar to attend various events, including a public rally.
Fresh calls have emerged within the party demanding Shivakumar’s elevation to the top post. This comes just days after the Congress leadership publicly asserted there would be no change in Karnataka’s leadership.
Two Congress MLAs have now voiced their support for Shivakumar. Senior leader and former minister Tanveer Sait said the party must remain open to leadership changes. Earlier, Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain triggered speculation by claiming Shivakumar could be made chief minister within two to three months.
The Congress high command has attempted to quash the rumors. Kharge recently clarified that no proposal for a reshuffle is under consideration and assured that the media would be informed if any decision was made.
Despite the official denials, murmurs of an internal review continue. Some ministers are reportedly under scrutiny over performance and corruption-related complaints, though no confirmation has come from either the state government or the party leadership.
Adding to the speculation, Shivakumar met senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at her residence in Delhi on Wednesday. While the meeting drew attention, Shivakumar refused to disclose what was discussed.
Siddaramaiah appeared visibly frustrated when asked about his meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.
“How many times do I have to tell you? It (speculation around the Karnataka CM post) was not discussed at all. This issue was not brought up with the high command,” Siddaramaiah said.
His comments come amid renewed buzz about a potential leadership reshuffle in Karnataka. On Thursday, several key ministers from the state cabinet met with Kharge in Delhi, fuelling speculation that a change in the chief minister’s post could happen later this year.
According to reports, both Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar were expecting a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. However, Rahul skipped the meeting and proceeded to Bhubaneswar to attend various events, including a public rally.
Fresh calls have emerged within the party demanding Shivakumar’s elevation to the top post. This comes just days after the Congress leadership publicly asserted there would be no change in Karnataka’s leadership.
Two Congress MLAs have now voiced their support for Shivakumar. Senior leader and former minister Tanveer Sait said the party must remain open to leadership changes. Earlier, Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain triggered speculation by claiming Shivakumar could be made chief minister within two to three months.
The Congress high command has attempted to quash the rumors. Kharge recently clarified that no proposal for a reshuffle is under consideration and assured that the media would be informed if any decision was made.
Despite the official denials, murmurs of an internal review continue. Some ministers are reportedly under scrutiny over performance and corruption-related complaints, though no confirmation has come from either the state government or the party leadership.
Adding to the speculation, Shivakumar met senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at her residence in Delhi on Wednesday. While the meeting drew attention, Shivakumar refused to disclose what was discussed.
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