MYSURU/BENGALURU:
Following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s declaration that he will serve the full five-year term, and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala’s warning to Congress leaders against making controversial remarks, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed his willingness to assume the role of CM if instructed by the party high command.
During a media interaction in Mysuru, Priyank Kharge addressed the issue of power-sharing between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar, stating that four leaders had discussed the matter in Delhi and only they possess a clear understanding of it. The decision on who should be CM or continue in the role will be made by the high command. If they assign me the responsibility, I am prepared to take it on, he affirmed.
Regarding the comments made by other party leaders about Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, Kharge emphasized that those are personal opinions. He acknowledged that zilla panchayat members and MLAs have the right to express their views, but their statements are not definitive. The final decision rests with the high command, he emphasized.
In a mocking tone directed at the opposition BJP and JD(S), Priyank Kharge remarked, “There is no opposition in the state. The BJP is a leaderless party, and the JD(S) is a party without people. Instead of criticizing the Congress locally, the BJP leaders should voice their concerns to the central leaders. Perhaps then, they will find an opposition leader.”
