Karnataka Politics: Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna on Saturday (September 16) advocated appointing three more Deputy Chief Ministers in the state before the Lok Sabha elections. He said that he will discuss this with the Congress high command.
N Rajanna advocated giving the post of Deputy Chief Minister to leaders of Veerashaiva-Lingayat, Scheduled Caste-Tribe and minority communities, currently DK Shivakumar, belonging to the Vokkaliga community, is the Deputy Chief Minister in the cabinet led by Siddaramaiah. Shivkumar is also the state Congress president.
What did N Rajanna say?
Rajanna said in Tumkur, Karnataka, ‘‘Lok Sabha elections are near, we are watching and all the parties are preparing for the elections. Our wish is that Congress should win maximum seats in Karnataka. We are confident of our victory. ’’
He said that one post of Deputy Chief Minister should be given to Scheduled Caste-Tribe, one post to minority community and one post to the leader of Veerashaiva community. Calling this view a personal opinion, he said that he will discuss this issue with the high command.
Who should be made the Deputy CM?
When asked who should be made the Deputy Chief Minister, in response to this question, Scheduled Tribe leader Rajanna said that the decision will be taken by the high command. He said, ‘‘I do not want the post of Deputy Chief Minister, but the high command should give this post to the leaders of these communities. The decision of the high command will be the decision of all of us. ’’
What did Priyank Kharge say?
Reacting to Rajanna’s statement, Priyank Kharge on IT/BT Minister and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, ‘‘Nobody from Congress He can present his opinion before the central leadership, but I do not think there is any proposal like this (more than one Deputy Chief Minister) before the high command.’’
What did DK Shivakumar say?
Shivakumar has not reacted to Rajanna’s statement on a news channel on Friday regarding the appointment of three more Deputy Chief Ministers, but Shivakumar’s brother and MP DK Suresh said, ‘‘You should ask Rajanna about this. He is involved in running the government. ’’
What is going on within the Congress?
A section within the Congress is of the opinion that Rajanna’s statement is an attempt to keep Shivakumar of Siddaramaiah’s camp under control and his influence in both the government and the party. This is part of the plan to reduce the situation, because there is talk that after the tenure of two and a half years of this government, Shiv Kumar may demand the post of Chief Minister. Different voices have been raised within the party regarding the post of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
What did BK Hariprasad say?
Recently, senior Congress leader and MLC BK Hariprasad had said that either Dalit leader and longest serving KPCC president G Parameshwara (now Home Minister) should have been made the Chief Minister or at least his name should have been considered for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, because he had been the Deputy Chief Minister earlier also.
He had also said that Satish Jarkiholi (Public Works Minister) from the Scheduled Tribe community should have been made Deputy Chief Minister.
Reacting to Rajanna’s statement, Home Minister Parameshwara said, ‘‘There is nothing wrong in his statement. He will have to tell this to the Chief Minister and the party president. He has said that he will write a letter in this regard and will meet the high command. This is his personal opinion, which he has expressed. ’’