Everybody has desires: DK Shivakumar on Karnataka seer's leadership pact remark

An influential seer in Karnataka has come out in support of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, urging the Congress high command to honour the leadership change pact reportedly agreed upon when the party came to power last year.

Speaking to the media, Rambhapuri Jagadguru, a top Lingayat Panchamasali seer, said, “The people of the state know the hard work DK Shivakumar put in as party president to bring the Congress to power. Only Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and the high command know the details of the agreement. Whatever was agreed upon in front of the national leaders, if it is followed, all leaders will be respected."

"There is already more discussion within the Congress than outside regarding the state leadership issue. The national leadership should step in, clarify, and resolve the matter. People will be happy,” he added.

The seer, who commands a following among Lingayat MLAs across party lines, signalled that the Congress should act decisively and respect any understanding struck at the time of government formation.

Reacting to the remarks, DK Shivakumar neither confirmed nor denied the existence of a leadership change pact. He said the aspirations of party workers, religious leaders, and the public were valid but maintained that decisions would ultimately be taken by the party high command.

“Workers, seers, and the public have their own desires, I can’t say their aspirations are wrong. We all built this party together; we are disciplined soldiers of the party. We sit together and follow what the party decides, even Siddaramaiah has said this many times,” Shivakumar said.

When pressed on whether such a pact existed, he replied, “Why should I speak about such matters in public? This is between me and my party; we work together as a team.”

Shivakumar also underlined the Congress’s commitment to delivering on promises, saying, “People have shown faith in us and voted for us, we must live up to their expectations. We have designed major programs for the people, and we will implement them.”

However, not everyone in the party appeared pleased with the seer’s intervention. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “I don’t know why Swamiji is speaking in these political issues, it is the high command which will take decisions.”

“He has expressed his opinion. What is wrong with that?” Home Minister G Parameshwara said.

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