Congress continues to grapple with public discourse on leadership change by seniors

Congress leaders in Karnataka continue public discourse on Chief Minister change despite central leadership intervention, urging unity and discipline.

The public discourse by Congress leaders over the issue of the change of the Chief Minister continued on Sunday despite the intervention of central leadership recently. This comes amid the planned Delhi visit of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, where he is likely to discuss public statements by senior Cabinet Ministers, even as Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, ruled out change of leadership on Sunday.

While Dr. Mahadevappa told reporters in Kalaburagi that there was no question of a leadership change in the State, Channagiri Congress leader Shivaganga Basavaraj, a follower of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urged party seniors not to speak about leadership in public. The Deputy Chief Minister, who is visiting Delhi on Tuesday to meet the Union Jal Shakti Minister, is expected to raise party and government issues during his proposed meetings with central leaders, sources close to him said.

Reacting to Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna’s recent statements on leadership change, the Channagiri legislator said: “What Mr. Rajanna said is wrong. We are first-time legislators and they are seniors. All of us have been asked by the high command not to air our opinions in public. If the seniors take the wrong path, we will also have to follow them.” He told reporters in Davangere: “If he stops, it is good for him and also for the party. Leadership change is the decision of the high command and unnecessary comments on it will confuse party workers.”

In Kalaburagi, Dr. Mahadevappa said: “Somebody else or I cannot decide on the leadership change. The high command has already decided on it. I need not say anything.” On continued statements of Congress leaders in the public, he said that All-India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge directed party leaders in the State to ensure that their public statements would not embarrass the party leadership. “The high command has made it clear that there is no objection to expressing your opinion. It also told the leaders to discuss the issues with the high command and maintain discipline.”

To a question on Mr. Siddaramaiah breaking the record of the former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs as the longest-serving Chief Minister, Mr. Mahadevappa said records were meant for broken. “When you get an opportunity, you need to focus on development, people’s welfare and safeguarding the rights of the disadvantaged.” On the discussion over a Dalit to be made the Chief Minister, Mr. Mahadevappa said even B.R. Ambedkar had wanted the representatives of the oppressed communities to be in the key and decisive positions in the governance. “The wish for a Dalit Chief Minister will be realised at an appropriate time in the future depending upon the people’s blessings,” he said.