Only High Command will decide on reshuffle, leadership change in Karnataka Cabinet: G Parameshwara

BENGALURU: State Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said that statements by legislators on the leadership change and the reshuffle in the Karnataka Cabinet are irrelevant, as the final decision rests with the Congress High Command.

He added that something may come up after the Bihar election results, when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will meet the party’s central leadership.

“Until and unless the party High Command indicates, nobody knows, and the statements coming from legislators are irrelevant. At this moment, I have not heard anything from the party high command. I think, after the Bihar election results, both the CM and Deputy CM will be going to Delhi, and something may come up,” Parameshwara told reporters.

“Only the party High Command will take a decision on a reshuffle or changing the leadership…,” he adds on a possible Cabinet reshuffle,” he added.
The debate on the post of Chief Minister was again ignited by MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, by indicating Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi as the successor to Siddaramaiah.

Yathindra has subsequently clarified that Jharkiholi, a Nayaka community leader from Belagavi, is being seen as a successor to Siddaramiah’s ideology and ideological base of Ahinda.

On Sunday, Yathindra stated that there was no mistake in his statement made in Belgavi. However, the MLC also said that he will not speak on the issue of Satish Jarikholi potentially succeeding his father again.

“There is no mistake in my Belgaum statement. I have already clarified this. Let’s see if notice comes in this regard. I will not talk about that issue again. I will not make any public statement in front of the media anymore,” said Yathindra, addressing the press.

Speaking about the November Revolution, he said there is “no November Revolution; all this is speculation, and considering the current situation, Siddaramaiah will definitely complete five years.”

Yathindra stated that his father, Siddaramaiah, is in the “final phase of his political career” and should mentor Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi.
MLC Yathindra said that his father, Siddaramaiah, will not contest the 2028 elections. Discussing the state’s successor, Yathindra emphasised that many politicians follow the secular Congress ideology and said that Satish Jarkiholi should lead them.

He added that after 2028, someone should emerge as a leader with similar principles, noting that Satish Jarkiholi is among those who consistently engage in ideological politics. “My father said that he will not contest the 2028 elections. After that, there are so many politicians who follow the secular Congress ideology. Let Satish Jarkiholi lead them all. After 2028, someone should lead. Satish Jarkiholi is also one of those who do ideological politics. Let Satish Jarkiholi guide those who follow that ideology,” Yathindra had said.

He further emphasised that Satish Jarkiholi can fill his father’s position. “Satish Jarkiholi definitely has the power to fill his position. After my father retires from politics, Satish Jarkiholi is one of the few leaders who has the power to fill that position. Satish Jarkiholi is the next CM,” added Yathindra.

Following his Belgavi statement, Congress MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj on Thursday criticised Karnataka CM’s son for suggesting that his father is nearing the end of his political career and hinting at a potential successor.

Basavaraj slammed Yathindra’s statement, calling it “childish” and emphasising that the party’s high command will decide on leadership, not individual family members. (ANI)