Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, March 3: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to former union minister Veerappa Moily’s comments about Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar becoming the state’s chief minister, asserting on Monday that he would adhere to the Congress high command's direction on the issue.
In an interaction with the media in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah stated, “I am telling you again, the statements of former union minister Veerappa Moily or any other leaders are not important. The decision of the party high command is important, and we will abide by it.”
When asked why he had remained silent after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge instructed party members not to comment on the power-sharing issue, Siddaramaiah reiterated, “I will go by the high command’s directions.”
Minister for Public Works Department (PWD), Satish Jarkiholi, a close ally of Siddaramaiah, also weighed in on the issue. He said that despite statements made by Moily and other leaders regarding the chief minister’s post, the final decision would rest with the high command. “We make statements for our satisfaction. That’s it. The matter of Chief Minister won’t fall in our jurisdiction,” he said.
Minister for cooperation K.N. Rajanna, who had earlier called for Shivakumar's removal as state president, also weighed in on Moily's remarks. He said, “Veerappa Moily’s statements are personal. Moily is our party’s senior leader. He is a former CM and former union minister. I won’t dispute him. However, the ultimate decision in this regard will be taken by the high command.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar responded to questions about power sharing and the ongoing discussions regarding the chief minister’s position. He confirmed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had instructed party members not to discuss changes to the CM post. “Kharge has instructed us not to discuss the issue of power sharing, and I am committed to his words,” Shivakumar said while speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha.
In response to Moily's statement that no one could stop him from becoming the chief minister, Shivakumar commented, “Veerappa Moily has expressed his personal opinion. I will not comment on it, nor is there any need to discuss it.”
BJP State president B Y Vijayendra reacted to Moily’s remarks, suggesting that it indicated Shivakumar would soon assume the chief minister’s role. Additionally, a Congress MLA claimed that Shivakumar would take over as chief minister in December.
As the debate over the state’s leadership intensifies, it remains clear that the Congress high command will have the final say on the future direction of the state’s political leadership.