Parameshwara says he expects Siddaramaiah to continue as Chief Minister for the rest of the term

Home Minister G. Parameshwara said he expects Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to continue in the post for the remainder of the Legislative Assembly’s term.

Fielding queries from reporters in Mysuru on Monday (April 6), Mr. Parameshwara pointed out that the party high command did not specify that Mr. Siddaramaiah would be the Chief Minister for the full term when he was chosen for the post in 2013, but he continued as Chief Minister till 2018.

The high command had chosen him as Chief Minister in 2023. “So, will he not have to remain in the post till the term ends in 2028?” Mr. Parameshwara asked before adding that if he has to be replaced, a decision in that regard will have to be taken only by the party high command.

He said there is no need for the party high command to specifically state that Mr. Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister for the full five-year term, and dismissed charges that the high command is responsible for the prevailing “confusion” over the leadership issue.

He pointed out that the high command had never spoken about the leadership issue.

In the present political situation in the State, Mr. Siddaramaiah will continue as the Chief Minister, Mr. Parameshwara said.

On DKS

When his attention was drawn to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who was reportedly aspiring for the Chief Minister’s post, Mr. Parameshwara said Mr. Shivakumar is not only the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, but also the Deputy Chief Minister.

When asked about his own eligibility to become the Chief Minister, Mr. Parameshwara said Mr. Siddaramaiah himself had informed the Legislature that all 224 MLAs are eligible to become the Chief Minister. So, even he is eligible, he added.

On bypolls

Mr. Parameshwara also expressed confidence about the ruling Congress winning both the Assembly seats of Bagalkot and Davangere South in the ensuing bypolls.

He said people of both constituencies had shown support for the ruling party as the government had not only implemented the promises made to the people, but had also taken up development programmes that have reached the poor.

With regard to reports of black-marketing of LPG cylinders, Mr. Parameshwara said the police cannot act suo motu, but has been registering cases against the diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use based on the complaints referred by the officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.