Political rumors are spreading across Karnataka about a possible change of leadership in State. Breaking this, on Monday Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed reports of a falling out between him and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Speaking to the reporters at Mysuru Airport, CM Siddaramaiah stressed on the harmony and unity among Congress leaders, confirming that the unity between him and Shivakumar is still intact.
Siddaramaiah cleared ending days of political gossip surrounding intra-party differences by saying “We both are on good terms, no matter who says what.” His statement was followed by a public display of unity. Later Siddaramaiah extended his hand, clasping Shivakumar’s, and lifting it in the presence of the media shows the two senior leaders are harmoniously functioning together.
Siddaramaiah’s ‘rock’ government
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on his way to present bagina at the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam, after it had been filled. In his encounter with the media, Siddaramaiah said, “Our government will be as firm as a rock for the complete five-year tenure. Efforts are being made to induce a division among us, but it won’t succeed. We are one.”
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The term ‘rock’he used had a symbolic importance, that is Shivakumar is sometimes nicknamed “the rock of Kanakapura,”. Apart from this his constituency also famous for its quarrying of stones.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar denies rumour
Political gossip of leadership transition had been circulating for weeks in Karnataka, with factional groups of the Congress party said to be unhappy with the prevailing power-sharing arrangement. Nevertheless, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have consistently denied the rumour there are any differences. They also claimed that the Congress government is running smoothly.
Adding to this, Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has landed in Bengaluru to have official meetings with party MLAs behind closed doors. Meanwhile, the sources said that Surjewala is likely to see close to 100 legislators in person at the state party headquarters from 2 PM onwards, to ask feedback on the government’s internal issues and performance.The exercise is being viewed as a pre-emptive measure to quell discontent and consolidate party unity.
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