Amid ongoing speculation about a potential leadership change in the Karnataka Congress, party MLA H.D. Ranganath, known for his proximity to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, mentioned that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would address the matter in due course without retracting his commitments. Ranganath highlighted Siddaramaiah’s history of honoring his promises over the decades.
Responding to Shivakumar’s recent statement that Siddaramaiah would speak on the leadership query at the right moment, Ranganath emphasized the Chief Minister’s credibility and assured that any power-sharing arrangement would be communicated to the public. He expressed that party members and citizens are eagerly anticipating clarity on the issue.
Ranganath disclosed that Siddaramaiah would engage with the party’s central leadership in the upcoming days to address all concerns related to the leadership matter. He reiterated the belief that Siddaramaiah would uphold any agreements, clarifying them at the appropriate juncture. Ranganath stressed the importance of maintaining composure while awaiting the Chief Minister’s response.
Reacting to a recent controversial comment by Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, indirectly likening loyal MLAs to Shivakumar as “tails of dogs,” Ranganath criticized the use of such language by a senior figure. He urged the media to seek clarification directly from Mahadevappa regarding his statement, emphasizing the need for respectful discourse in public discourse.
Ranganath sarcastically referenced the Congress’s past electoral success and Mahadevappa’s role in it, suggesting that if the minister is confident in leading the party to victory again, they would support him. He addressed the recent foreign trips of some Congress legislators, stating that such visits are normal and that the Chief Minister’s focus is on budget preparations. Ranganath clarified that while some MLAs may seek insights from foreign visits, the decision to travel was personal and not a collective invitation.
He reiterated that the final decision on the leadership issue lies with the party’s central leadership, emphasizing their commitment to abide by the high command’s directives. The ongoing leadership uncertainty within the Karnataka Congress escalated following Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar’s assertion that a decision has been made, with CM Siddaramaiah set to disclose it at the appropriate time, potentially causing turbulence within the ruling party.
