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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s remark that Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, an ST leader, could take over the leadership mantle, as his father was at the fag end of his political life, has created another political storm about the much-talked-about “November revolution” in the ruling faction-ridden Congress.
On Wednesday, Dr. Yathindra, at a gathering in Belagavi, expressed hope that Mr. Jarkiholi would take up the responsibility and be a role model and a leader aligned with progressive ideological and philosophical values.
“It is difficult to find leaders who are committed to principles, but Mr Jarkiholi is doing his job with commitment. He should continue to do so,” he added.
Dr. Yathindra’s statement assumes significance since it came a few days after Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s claim that the Chief Minister’s selection would be decided by the party’s top brass and not based on the support of MLAs, essentially setting the terms for his possible succession to power as the Congress government’s tenure approaches the half-term mark.
Many believe that Dr. Yathindra was “speaking the Chief Minister’s mind” and it was an attempt to project Mr. Jarkiholi, an influential leader from Belagavi, as the chief ministerial face in case the party high command presses for a leadership change after the Bihar elections in November.
Floating the name of Mr. Jarkiholi is also seen as an attempt to checkmate Mr. Shivakumar’s ambition as well as send a message to the party high command, which is expected to handle the issue carefully. It is in no mood to repeat the blunder it committed during 1989-94 which saw three Chief Ministers in a short span of time — Veerendra Patil, S. Bangarappa, and M. Veerappa Moily.
‘What can I say?’
When the media sought reaction from Mr. Shivakumar about Mr. Yathindra’s remark, the Deputy Chief Minister shot back, saying “You (media) ask him (Mr. Yathindra) about what he has said. What can I say?” Mr. Shivakumar, the top contender for the Chief Minister’s post, has been on a temple run and is now on a pilgrimage to Mantralayam after a visit to Hasaanamba temple in Hassan.
Further, Mr Shivakumar said, “As Siddaramaiah and I have said, we will go by what the party’s high command asks us to do.”
As the buzz over Mr. Yathindra’s remark grew, Mr. Jarkiholi said, “The party has to decide who will be the successor. He (Mr. Yathindra) has expressed his personal opinion. Ultimately, it’s the party and the MLAs who will decide. There’s still time; let’s wait and see what happens.” However, Mr. Jarkiholi said the Congress needed AHINDA leadership. “I can’t do politics without the AHINDA support.”
Meanwhile, senior party leader T.B. Jayachandra, MLA, said, “The high command will take a decision on leadership change based on MLAs’ support. As of now, the Chief Minister’s chair is not vacant.”
Minister M.B. Patil said Mr. Yathindra spoke nothing wrong, and he only praised the leadership qualities of Mr. Jarkiholi. Home Minister G. Parameshwara said, “Discussion about the Chief Minister’s post is nowhere. The party’s high command and the CLP will decide leadership matters at the appropriate time.”
‘No substance’
Ramanagara MLA and loyalist of the KPCC chief, H.A. Iqbal Hussain, said, “There is no substance or weight in his statement.”
Even as the contractors' body has alleged rampant corruption in the government, intensifying factional fighting in the Congress would further dent the government’s image.
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