At a time when thepower tussle in Karnatakacontinues to simmer, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a statement saying that if the Congress high command gave him the opportunity, he would present two more budgets, signalling his will to continue to stay put on the chief minister’s seat and continue for the rest of the term.
“I have presented my 17th Budget. In the state of Karnataka, I hold the record for presenting the highest number of budgets," he said.
The remark raised fresh questions over whether theChief Ministerwas signalling his expectation of continuing in office for the full term.
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, senior Congressman and former Union minister Veerappa Moily said public statements, claims and counterclaims over leadership were “not desirable for the stability and governance of the Congress party" and that the Congress high command should not succumb to pressure tactics.
Taking a firm stand, he said, “We must all have faith in the high command when they will open up their mind either for a Cabinet reshuffle or for a change in Chief Ministership. None of these things have happened till today."
Moily’s statement comes in the wake of repeated statements made by the supporters of D K Shivakumar as well as Shivakumar himself, giving room for speculation that a change in chief ministership is imminent.
This tug of war, this power tussle that we are seeing with the CM saying he will continue for five years and D.K. Shivakumar sending enough signals that power should be handed to him — is this affecting the Congress?
Coming to the streets and openly making these claims and counterclaims is not desirable for the stability and governance of the Congress party. This will give the Opposition a chance to play their own game. This is the time for Congressmen of all ranks to join together, and if any changes have to be made, there is a proper process for it.
By merely talking and making claims and counterclaims, moving around and forgetting the administration is not desirable. I strongly say that the manner in which those claims are being made is not desirable for the Congress or for the governance or stability of the Congress government in the state.
I think all parties concerned who are raising these issues must stop such activities and concentrate and focus on the administration. If there are any changes — sometimes changes are made, sometimes they are not — ultimately, changes are for better governance and stability. There is a process.
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