Change of Chief Minister in Karnataka has been a topic of discussion for a long time. His supporters have been demanding for several months that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar be made the CM of the state. But the party high command has maintained silence on this till now. Meanwhile, Pranavananda Swamiji, president of the forum of heads of monasteries of the state's most backward classes, has also appealed to the Congress high command to immediately appoint Shivakumar as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Pranavananda Swamiji also warned that Congress would have to face “consequences” if Shivkumar was not made the Chief Minister. He said that a group of 25 Swamijis is also planning to go to New Delhi to put forward this demand before the party high command. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar had said that whatever decision the party high command takes on the issue of leadership in the state, both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will follow it.
These comments from his side have come amid speculation in the party and political circles that there could be a possible change in leadership and cabinet reshuffle after May 4. On May 4, the results of the assembly elections of 5 states and Union Territory, as well as the results of by-elections held on 2 assembly seats of Karnataka, will be declared.
Pranavananda Swamiji, while advocating for Shivakumar to be made the CM, said, "The issue of the Chief Minister's chair is still going on in the state. As the President of the Mahasabha of Swamijis of the Most Backward Class Maths in the state, I demand that Shivakumar be made the Chief Minister immediately. It has been almost 3 years since this government came to power, and many deadlines have also been set for it, like Sankranti, Ugadi and elections in 5 states."
Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi, he said the situation appeared “humiliating” for Shivakumar. He said, "Shivkumar had taken over as the Karnataka State Congress (KPCC) president when no one was ready to accept the post, and also brought the party back to power. He was promised the chief minister's post in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and general secretary KC Venugopal. Why is the party now hesitating to fulfill that promise? This is not right."
Talking about Siddaramaiah, Swamiji said that he was not denying that Siddaramaiah is a “big leader” of backward communities, but added that he had already served as Chief Minister for about eight years, and this included his first term (5 years). He said, "We cannot say that the backward classes have got any special benefit during his tenure. Even in the recent state budget, not much was done for the backward class communities."
Appealing to the Congress high command to immediately make Shivakumar the chief minister, Pranavananda Swamiji warned that if it did not happen, the party would face "serious consequences" in the state. He said that the Mahasabha of Swamijis is going to meet Shivkumar, and then after talks, around 25 Swamijis will go to Delhi.
He further said, "Shivkumar's contribution to the most backward communities has been immense. He has been an MLA 8 times and a minister several times. But why is he not being given the post of CM now? He has worked for the party and deserves recognition - this is my demand from the Congress leadership."
The leadership tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka has once again intensified. On November 20 last year, the Congress government completed half of its 5-year tenure, but even before this, demands for changing the Chief Minister had started in the state and since then there has been speculation about change of leadership.
