Speculations over thepossible leadership change in Karnatakaintensified on Wednesday after senior Congress leader RV Deshpande claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had informed him of his decision to step down and is likely to submit his resignation tomorrow, May 28.
“CM Siddaramaiah told me he has decided to resign,” Deshpande said, a statement that could significantly reshape the ongoing power equation within the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
The remark comes amid mounting reports that Siddaramaiah may soon vacate the top post following consultations with the Congress high command.
While sources reported that the discussion, which involved the Congress High Command, was over the leadership transition in Karnataka, the party denied the claims and mentioned that no such talks over replacing Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister took place.
Seeking to put speculation to rest, Congress leader KC Venugopal asserted that there was “no reality” to reports of a leadership change and said that the discussions were focused on upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections in Karnataka.
Speculation intensified earlier this year as the Congress government approached the 2.5-year mark, seen by many as the supposed timeline for a leadership transition. Shivakumar made carefully worded remarks such as “time will answer” when asked about becoming Chief Minister, while Siddaramaiah alternated between asserting he would complete a full five-year term and saying any decision rested with the Congress high command.
The issue resurfaced several times over the past months with MLAs, supporters and factions within the Karnataka Congress openly backing one leader or the other.
VisitTimes Nowfor theLatest news,India News, and breaking stories from around theWorld.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
