Bengaluru, May 27: Amidst intense speculation regarding a leadership change in Karnataka, the state’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Wednesday that party leaders will adhere to the decisions made by the Congress high command.
He mentioned that party General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala will address a press conference to clarify the situation on this matter.
During a media interaction in Bengaluru, Parameshwara responded to questions about the leadership change speculations, asserting their commitment to follow the high command’s decisions. “Whatever the matter, the high command will decide. So far, we only have information regarding discussions on candidate selection for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections,” he said.
He further added that Surjewala is coming to Bengaluru and will provide all clarifications regarding the leadership change issue. “We do not have details about the meeting that took place in Delhi yesterday. We are unaware of what was discussed there,” he stated.
Parameshwara clarified that there was no political discussion at Minister K.J. George’s residence during a dinner gathering. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not discuss any leadership change with us,” he noted.
According to sources, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly requested a meeting at the Raj Bhavan at 10:30 AM on Thursday, where he is expected to submit his resignation. It is believed that following a breakfast meeting with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah may head to the Raj Bhavan to resign.
Sources also claimed that Siddaramaiah has personally invited cabinet ministers for a meeting scheduled for Thursday. All ministers were reportedly informed via messages sent on Tuesday night.
In light of the ongoing political developments, several ministers and senior legislators, including close associates of the Chief Minister and Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, have begun arriving at the Chief Minister’s residence.
As speculations about a leadership change continue, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar is set to have a breakfast meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, intensifying the political conjectures in the state.
Shivakumar’s office confirmed the breakfast meeting with Siddaramaiah, which will take place at the Chief Minister’s residence, ‘Kaveri’, in Bengaluru. An official statement indicated that Shivakumar will arrive in Bengaluru from Delhi at 8:30 AM on Thursday and will head directly to Siddaramaiah’s official residence for the meeting at 9 AM.
Sources suggest that following the meeting, both leaders may hold a press conference to address the ongoing speculations regarding the leadership change.
In the midst of these speculations, Surjewala is arriving in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Although it is officially stated that his visit is related to elections concerning the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), insiders suggest that he is coming to ensure a smooth transfer of power and will remain in the city.
Further sources indicated that Rahul Gandhi has reportedly asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to resign to pave the way for Shivakumar to assume the Chief Minister’s position. The Siddaramaiah camp claims that he is ready to resign, as Rahul Gandhi played a significant role in his becoming Chief Minister for the second time. However, this faction also states that a group of ministers and staunch supporters are strongly opposing this move, insisting that Siddaramaiah should not step down under any circumstances.