Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 20: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Thursday downplayed his Delhi visit, stating that it was a private trip and that he did not discuss state politics. However, sources claimed that his visit was part of an ongoing effort to replace deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar as the Karnataka Congress president.
According to sources, several senior leaders from marginalised communities have united against Shivakumar, who has allegedly attempted to prevent their meetings.
Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and K N Rajanna had visited Delhi separately and openly urged the party high command to replace Shivakumar as the state chief. Parameshwara’s visit is reportedly a continuation of these efforts, sources added.
Jarkiholi, Rajanna, and Parameshwara, all prominent Dalit leaders, are said to have rallied behind chief minister Siddaramaiah and turned against Shivakumar, especially after the high court dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe against him. Shivakumar is seen as a strong contender for the chief minister’s post.
However, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara stated, “Firstly, my Delhi visit was for personal reasons and had no political agenda. I did not attend the inauguration of the new AICC building; I only wanted to visit the new office. Apart from that, I had no plans to meet senior leaders.”
“Thanks to the media for analyzing my visit in their own way. I appreciate it. But there has been no political development. I have not discussed anything related to state politics. There is nothing to hide. In my view, politics is all about engaging with the community and the media. If I had such an agenda, I wouldn’t hesitate to share it with you. I have never spoken about changing the chief minister or replacing Shivakumar as the state party president. This is for your knowledge,” he clarified.
When asked whether he had discussed organising a convention for marginalised communities, he replied, “I have not discussed anything about the convention of exploited classes, nor have I discussed politics. My visit was a courtesy call, and I only spoke with the national general secretary (organisation) who was available at the office. If I had a political agenda, I would have met the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, senior leader Sonia Gandhi, and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. I want to make this clear.”
“There was not even an informal discussion about state politics. While not everything we discuss can be shared publicly, in this case, there was no political discussion at all. There is no need to do anything secretly,” he added.
“I will not answer political questions, nor will I speak on them,” he stated when further quizzed by reporters.
Asked about the delay in implementing cash incentive guarantees, Parameshwara admitted, “The guarantees are being delivered. I agree there have been delays, but in the future, the process will be systematised. We have implemented the guarantees.”
“Please do not ask political questions. The media needs to change its approach and ask straightforward questions,” he reiterated while responding to a question.
Regarding the BJP’s objection to the clean chit given to Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara stated, “The high court has ruled that there is no need for a CBI probe into the MUDA case. The court has clarified that it is against the law for two agencies to investigate the same matter. Furthermore, if the Lokayukta has given a clean chit and the BJP is questioning the investigation itself, they must understand that the report is based on evidence. If there was no evidence, how could the Lokayukta have reached a conclusion?”
“The BJP wants everything to go according to its wishes. I don’t understand what kind of politics this is. If they want a CBI probe, they should approach the court and make a plea. The Lokayukta is an independent body, and the government does not interfere in its decisions,” he asserted.