From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 29: Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D K Shivakumar has warned all ruling Congress party leaders of disciplinary action for making public comments on change of Chief Minister or creation of more Deputy Chief Minister’s posts.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Saturday, he said notices will be issued and disciplinary action taken against those party men who publicly speak about change of CM and DCM in the State.

“Anyone issuing public statements on change of CM or DCM will face disciplinary action from the AICC and the KPCC. Discipline is paramount for the party. We have worked hard to bring the party to power, no one shoots off their mouth on this issue,” he said.

Shivakumar said: “AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah and I held a meeting in Delhi and decided that everyone has to work for the party.”

“We expect the ministers and MLAs to fall in line and refrain from making public comments on party affairs,” he said, making it clear that the party cannot control the Swamijis.

However, the Swamijis also must realise that they should refrain from making public comments on political matters as it does not come under their purview.

Asked if there was a discussion with the High command on change of CM and DCM, he said: “There were no discussions with the High Command regarding this.”

At the same time, he said the Swamiji has spoken about change of leadership and the demand for changing CM and representation to communities out of affection.

“To me the blessings of the Swamiji who spoke in my faour are sufficient. Please do not propose or endorse me for the CM’s post, the High Command will evaluate my performance and take a suitable decision. Let’s put an end to these things,” he said.

On the question of some partymen, including ministers, seeking additional DCMs, he said, “I don’t know about that. It would be better if everyone zips up their mouth.’’

To a question on Swamijis commenting on political issues, he said d, “Swamijis usually don’t interfere, this is the first time he has spoken. My sincere request to all the Swamijis is to leave politics for politicians.”

Replying to a question on the discussion between the Chief Minister and Home Minister that the Swamiji’s statement was planned, he said that he was unaware of the conversation.

“We had a meeting with Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with all the MPs from Karnataka. In the 2-hour meeting, we discussed progress of the state, pending projects in the state and justice in devolution of taxes for the state,” he said.

“We also called on Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari and discussed bottlenecks for various national highway projects in the state. We will discuss these things with the MLAs and officials and clear the bottlenecks. In some places there is opposition from farmers. We will discuss these things with the Prime Minister,” he added.