'No change in leadership': Randeep Surjewala puts to rest speculation over Karnataka CM change

Randeep Surjewala

After a day of intense speculation over change in leadership in Karnataka, Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday in no uncertain terms said that no such exercise is being considered by the party leadership.

Surjewala's statement comes amid statements from several Congress leaders and open calls from DK Shivakumar’s supporters demanding that he be made chief minister. Earlier today, Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain claimed that nearly 100 MLAs are in favour of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar taking over as chief minister.

Surjewala put these speculations to rest, stating that if any MLA has concerns, real or perceived, they should be addressed within the party and the government. The Congress leader added that both chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar have confirmed that the state has more than enough funds for development.

On Monday, Congress in-charge of Karnataka held meetings with legislators from the Chikkaballapura and Kolar districts. Kagwad MLA Raju Kage, who had openly expressed his displeasure about the functioning of the government and Ministers being inaccessible, is also expected to meet the party General Secretary in-charge. Kage had hinted at resigning, citing delays in developmental works and fund release, and alleged that the administration had "completely collapsed."

These meetings have come amid signs of "disgruntlement" and speculation about a leadership change within the Congress party. Terming the meetings as an organisational exercise undertaken by both AICC and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Surjewal had said any news being circulated in the media about leadership change is only a "figment of imagination".

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said the party high command will decide on matters like changing chief minister, with the comments coming amid speculation about a leadership change in Karnataka, even as a section of the ruling party maintained that removing CM Siddaramaiah would negatively impact the organisation’s long-term interests in the southern state. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader R Asoka took a swipe at Kharge over his comments, wondering if the veteran leader was not the Congress high command, then who was.