Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, June 7: Senior Congress leader and Karnataka minister K H Muniyappa has openly acknowledged that he has sought the post of deputy chief minister, revealing that he placed his request before Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi.

The statement comes days after Muniyappa publicly expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as a lack of due recognition for senior leaders within the party.

However, following his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, the veteran leader struck a more conciliatory note, declaring, “I am satisfied.”

When asked whether he aspired to become deputy chief minister, Muniyappa said, “I have submitted my request to both Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. It is their responsibility to take a decision on it.”

“Rahul Gandhi has said that he will take care of everything. He has advised me to continue working for the party. I have left everything to his decision. He knows very well how senior leaders should be respected. He is our supreme leader,” Muniyappa said.

Sources said Muniyappa, who belongs to the SC (Left) community, pointed out to the Congress leadership that G Parameshwara, who belongs to the SC (Right) community, had already been appointed deputy chief minister.

According to sources, Muniyappa told Rahul Gandhi that the arrangement could send a wrong message to sections of the Dalit community.

Sources further indicated that the minister had also sought key public-facing portfolios such as social welfare, agriculture or water resources, arguing that such departments offer greater opportunities for direct engagement with the public.