Vokkaliga seer asks Siddaramaiah to pave way for Shivakumar to succeed as CM
- In Reports
- 09:22 PM, Jun 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
A power struggle within the Karnataka Congress appears to be brewing again following remarks from a Vokkaliga seer who suggested that Siddaramaiah should step aside and allow DK Shivakumar to become the state's Chief Minister.
During a Kempegowda Jayanti event attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seer Chandrashekar Swamiji expressed his view that Siddaramaiah should pave the way for Shivakumar to assume the Chief Minister's position.
"Everyone has had their turn as Chief Minister and enjoyed power. Our DK Shivakumar has not yet been Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah has already had his share of power. In the future, Siddaramaiah should pass on the mantle to Shivakumar. I once again request Siddaramaiah to please make DK Shivakumar the Chief Minister," the seer from Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Mutt remarked.
The seer later told TV channels that Shivakumar "deserved the Chief Minister's post" due to his significant role in organizing the Congress ahead of the 2023 Assembly election.
DK Shivakumar holds considerable influence within the Vokkaliga community, constituting 15% of Karnataka's population. In response to the seer's comments, Siddaramaiah stated that the ultimate decision lies with the Congress high command. "I will act according to the directives of the party high command," the Chief Minister affirmed.
It's widely known that Shivakumar has been aspiring for the top post ever since the Congress defeated the BJP and formed a government in Karnataka in May last year.
The BJP seized on this internal issue within the Congress to criticise the party. "There is an ongoing power struggle within the Congress party. There is no governance," remarked BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan. BJP MLA and state general secretary Sunil Kumar Karkala criticised the Congress leaders for engaging in power struggles while the state grapples with essential commodities' price hikes.
"The sheer greed of the Congress party and ministers has derailed development works in Karnataka. Now it's a showdown between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Let Congress MLAs finally tell the public whom they want as CM. Karnataka needs a stable government," Karkala tweeted.
Image Source: Business Today
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