Top Karnataka Congress leaders deny Minister's claims of power tussle, reshuffle

Top Congress leaders in Karnataka have hit back at Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna’s controversial remarks suggesting that the Siddaramaiah-led government is witnessing the rise of multiple power centres and that major changes could happen after September.

Home Minister G Parameshwara dismissed Rajanna’s claims, asserting that there is no leadership crisis.

“The Chief Minister hasn’t lost grip. Isn’t the work happening? If there are any small lapses, it’ll be rectified,” he said.

He firmly denied the idea of power being split within the party. “There are no multiple power centres. There’s just one. No other person has the kind of experience the Chief Minister has.”

“I don’t know what info Rajanna has. He must have some information, or else why would he speak like that? As far as I know, there’s no change in the cabinet. I don’t have an intelligence bureau with me,” said Parameshwara.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, too, brushed off the remarks, asking the media to ignore Rajanna’s comments. On the speculation about a possible change in leadership after September, Siddaramaiah retorted, “Did he say there will be a change in the chair?”

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar distanced himself from the remarks, saying, “I have to speak to him. I don’t know what that is about,” when asked about Rajanna and Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s comments hinting at changes in the government. On the allegation of multiple power centres, Shivakumar simply said, “You should ask him.”

The controversy erupted after Rajanna on Thursday claimed that the state Congress has witnessed the rise of several power centres since 2018, unlike the previous term between 2013 and 2018 when there was just one. His also remark that “the Siddaramaiah of today is not the same as the Siddaramaiah of 2013-18”

He hinted at “significant” political changes after September, sparking buzz over a possible cabinet reshuffle or leadership shift.

Earlier this year, Rajanna was in the middle of a controversy, after he claimed that nearly 48 political leaders, including central figures, have fallen victim to a honey-trap scandal. He asserted that the issue was not confined to any one party and demanded a high-level probe into the matter.

- Ends