Support for Karnataka’s Chief Minister Amid Leadership Turmoil
Bengaluru: In light of the ongoing leadership crisis within the Karnataka Congress party, various caste groups and religious leaders have publicly expressed their support for either Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
The Kuruba community, which Siddaramaiah represents, has issued a stern warning: should he be ousted from his position, they will not support the Congress in the upcoming elections.
To address this issue, community leaders convened a meeting at the Karnataka Pradesh Kuruba Sangha office in Bengaluru, advocating for Siddaramaiah’s retention as Chief Minister.
During the meeting, Siddaramanandapuri Swamiji from Tinthani Math emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the state and urged the Congress high command to avoid creating confusion.
He remarked, “It is inappropriate for a religious leader to publicly lobby for an individual. The high command must make a wise decision regarding Siddaramaiah, a respected leader. Undermining his dignity could have repercussions beyond Karnataka.”
The seer further noted that Siddaramaiah is not only a leader for the Kuruba community but also for the AHINDA (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits). Thus, the high command’s actions should not jeopardize this identity.
He criticized the high command for failing to address internal party issues, which has led to unrest among members. “No religious leader should take sides in such matters; it is inappropriate,” he stated.
“Our support for Siddaramaiah is based on his commitment to the underprivileged, not merely his community affiliation,” he added.
He warned, “Siddaramaiah must not be removed from his position. If any of the 140 Congress MLAs oppose him, we will campaign against them to ensure their defeat.”
“There are attempts to elevate individuals with questionable backgrounds to the Chief Minister’s role. We will initiate a statewide campaign urging a boycott of Congress. In regions like Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka, voters supported Congress solely because of Siddaramaiah,” the seer declared.
“A legislative party meeting should be convened to openly discuss opinions. Karnataka needs a regional party. Siddaramaiah is the only mass leader in the Congress; there are no others, including DK Shivakumar. If necessary, we may consider forming a regional party, as seen in states like Bihar,” he concluded.
In a related development, prominent Vokkaliga leader Nanjavadutha Swamiji met with Deputy CM Shivakumar at his residence, expressing his support for Shivakumar and advocating for his elevation to the Chief Minister’s position due to his loyalty to the party and the Gandhi family.
The seer praised Shivakumar’s unwavering dedication to the Congress, highlighting his sacrifices during challenging times.
“Shivakumar is a key figure in the Vokkaliga community. Despite facing significant challenges, he has remained steadfast in his support for the Congress. Now, it is time for the party to recognize the Vokkaliga community’s contributions,” he insisted.
He emphasized that all societal segments are backing Deputy CM Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s role. Given Siddaramaiah’s age, it was proposed that he serve as Chief Minister for a limited term while Shivakumar is given the opportunity to lead.
