Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Wednesday said if All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge decides to enter State politics, he is “most welcome”. This statement comes amid the ongoing “leadership change” debate in the State.
Speaking to presspersons in Bengaluru, Mr. Parameshwara said in response to a question, “Any decision taken by the high command, particularly if Mr. Kharge wants to come to Karnataka, will be respected. He is a tall leader, and if he chooses to return to Karnataka politics, we will receive him with respect.”
Mallikarjun Kharge
On the question of a possible leadership change in the Karnataka government, he pointed out that he is not competent to answer that question. “It entirely depends on the high command. Whether there will be a change, and if so, who will be the probable candidate, I am not in a position to answer.”
MLAs’ support for DKS
Meanwhile, some MLAs have again spoken in support of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s candidature for the Chief Minister’s post.
Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna said that Mr. Shivakumar has worked hard to bring the Congress to power in the State. “I am confident that the high command will give him an opportunity. I trust the high command on this, as they are fully aware of the work done by Mr Shivakumar,” he stated.
Another Congress MLA, Belur Gopal Krishna, said, “Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have contributed to the party. It is up to the high command to make decisions, and we will follow their orders.”
Referring to the proposed Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Gopal Krishna said, “A new Cabinet should be formed instead of just a reshuffle, which only benefits certain leaders.”