MYSURU: Amid speculation of leadership change in Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar Monday presented a united front, holding hands before the media and reaffirming the stability of the Congress govt in the state.
Minutes before offering the traditional "baagina (an offering)" to Cauvery river - a ritual observed when the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) dam in Mandya fills up - Siddaramaiah unexpectedly addressed the media: "This govt will be as solid as a 'bande' (rock) for five years," with Shivakumar, popularly referred to as "bande" by his supporters, standing beside him.
These remarks come at a time when talk of a possible leadership transition later this year has resurfaced. The idea of a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has gained traction, with Siddaramaiah completing half the term of govt in Nov. Adding fuel, cooperation minister KN Rajanna, a confidant of the CM, recently hinted at a "post-Sept revolution". Ramanagara Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain claimed Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become CM "in two to three months".
Asked whether he and Shivakumar were on good terms, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative. He then raised Shivakumar's hand in a display of unity. On questions about alleged rifts, he said, "We don't listen to what others say," as Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
Party sources said the Congress high command has issued a firm directive to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to present a united image amid increasing public attention on their differences. Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala's visit to the state also gained significance in this context. Siddaramaiah downplayed Surjewala's visit, saying, "He will do his job."
State home minister G Parameshwara echoed this, stating that party intervention in state affairs is routine. "Sometimes the high command intervenes - that's their job. It's natural for the high command to speak when minor differences arise," he said.
Surjewala has kicked off a feedback-cum-review exercise in Karnataka aimed at evaluating the performance of Siddaramaiah's govt and to quell murmurs of dissent.
Minutes before offering the traditional "baagina (an offering)" to Cauvery river - a ritual observed when the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) dam in Mandya fills up - Siddaramaiah unexpectedly addressed the media: "This govt will be as solid as a 'bande' (rock) for five years," with Shivakumar, popularly referred to as "bande" by his supporters, standing beside him.
These remarks come at a time when talk of a possible leadership transition later this year has resurfaced. The idea of a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has gained traction, with Siddaramaiah completing half the term of govt in Nov. Adding fuel, cooperation minister KN Rajanna, a confidant of the CM, recently hinted at a "post-Sept revolution". Ramanagara Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain claimed Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become CM "in two to three months".
Asked whether he and Shivakumar were on good terms, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative. He then raised Shivakumar's hand in a display of unity. On questions about alleged rifts, he said, "We don't listen to what others say," as Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
Party sources said the Congress high command has issued a firm directive to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to present a united image amid increasing public attention on their differences. Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala's visit to the state also gained significance in this context. Siddaramaiah downplayed Surjewala's visit, saying, "He will do his job."
State home minister G Parameshwara echoed this, stating that party intervention in state affairs is routine. "Sometimes the high command intervenes - that's their job. It's natural for the high command to speak when minor differences arise," he said.
Surjewala has kicked off a feedback-cum-review exercise in Karnataka aimed at evaluating the performance of Siddaramaiah's govt and to quell murmurs of dissent.
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