Rahul to take call on CM post, says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that ultimately, Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi and the party high command have to take a decision on the CM change issue, and everyone will abide by their decision. He said that he has spoken to the high command, and the leadership have told him that they will decide. The CM’s statement came a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the confusion over the leadership issue in the party’s Karnataka unit exists only at the local level and not within the party high command.

He had also said that the local leaders should take ownership of the internal disputes rather than blaming the high command.

“I don’t know about it. Rahul Gandhi and the high command have to decide. Whatever they decide, I’m committed to it,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question on Kharge’s statement.

“I have spoken to the high command. They have said that they will decide. I will abide by whatever the high command decides,” he said. The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculations about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress Government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.

To a question as to when clarity on the leadership issue is expected, the CM said, whenever the high command decides.

Asked whether he is the CM for the full five years, he said, “It’s a different matter. Whatever the high command decides.”

Alleging that the media is discussing the leadership issue, despite clarifications that the high command will decide on the matter and everyone will abide by it, he said, “What is there to ask so many questions on the issue? After I have said whatever, I have to in the Assembly, why still discuss this?”

Siddaramaiah, on Friday, had asserted on the floor of the Assembly that he would continue in office. He had also said that the Congress high command was “in my favour” and asserted that no decision was made on his staying at the helm for only two-and-a-half years.

Reacting to which, Shivakumar had on Friday said that he and CM Siddaramaiah have come to an agreement with the involvement of the Congress high command, and both of them will abide by it.

When pointed out about claims in the political circles about “political revolution” after Sankranti, Siddaramaiah on Monday said, ultimately, the high command has to take a decision. “Everything is over. I am saying it once for all, ultimately, the high command has to make a decision. Everyone will abide by whatever the high command decides.”

Responding to a question on Kharge’s statement that no one is bigger than the party and the party did not come to power because of any one person, Siddaramaiah said, “Yes, it is a matter that should be accepted by everyone. It is impossible for anyone to be bigger than the party.”

Reacting to senior MLA and his close confidant K N Rajanna’s meeting with Shivakumar, the CM said, “Let him meet. Shivakumar is the president of the party state unit. What is wrong with that?”

On Shivakumar’s claim that he had made Rajanna the Apex Bank chairman during the SM Krishna-led Congress Government (1999-2004), he said, “Claiming credit for appointing some to some post while in power is not important.

SM Krishna was the CM, the then Government had appointed.”

In what is seen as a surprising development, Shivakumar met the former minister Rajanna at a private guest house here on Saturday night.