The Karnataka Congress government is facing another round of uncertainty, as its leaders arrived in the national capital and held a series of meetings with the party’s central leadership.
Leadership change talk Intensified
Sources say there are speculations that restructuring of the cabinet is on the agenda, and they added that a few leaders went on to say that they want a change in the state leadership.
It is also reportedly said that a meeting with AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal is scheduled for Friday morning.
Parameshwara hinted at a cabinet reshuffle
According to Hindustan Times, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara hinted at a cabinet reshuffle, adding that the decision lies with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the top leadership of the grand old party.
“It is said that the high command has given permission for a reshuffle. Media is saying it, and this subject is coming out in the open. Now you can guess what is happening with regard to the change of guard. Normally, leadership changes do not happen when the cabinet reshuffle takes place,” Hindustan Times quoted Parameshwara as saying.
Siddaramaiah downplayed the speculations
On the other hand, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah downplayed the speculations of leadership change in the state, terming it as an “unnecessary debate” and attributing these speculations to recent discussions about a cabinet reshuffle.
The Chief Minister further said that senior party leadership would further take decisions on the cabinet reshuffle, as out of the total 34 ministerial posts, two posts are vacant, which would be filled during the cabinet reshuffle.
‘Unnecessary debate’
When asked if he will continue as the CM for 5 years, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “This is an unnecessary debate. Only after it was said that the cabinet can be reshuffled after two and a half years, the issue of changing the Chief Minister has come to the fore. The party leaders need to take a decision on the cabinet reshuffle. There are a total of 34 ministerial posts, out of which two posts are vacant. These vacant ministerial positions will be filled during the cabinet reshuffle.”
