D.K. Shivakumar: No Crisis Within Our Party

Bengaluru, Jan 9 (NationPress) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded to speculation regarding discord within the Congress party by emphasizing that there is no crisis in the organization.

During a press conference at the state Congress headquarters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar, when questioned about the possibility of calling a CLP meeting to address internal issues, stated: "There is no crisis in our party. If there's a crisis, it must be with you (the media). Who has claimed there's a crisis in our party?"

Addressing claims of inconsistent statements about the distribution of authority, he clarified: "There are no conflicting statements. In Congress, I oversee party affairs, while the Chief Minister’s decisions on governmental matters are definitive. Other statements lack importance."

In response to Minister K.N. Rajanna's comments attributing the cancellation of a dinner meeting to anti-Dalit forces, he noted: "I am not aware of this matter. I will investigate it and provide a response in due course."

Discussing nominations for Legislative Council membership, he remarked: "There is still time for that. We have assigned this issue to the Chief Minister. Nominations for all vacant positions will occur simultaneously. The Chief Minister will make decisions after consulting with high-command leaders."

On the remark made by former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai that D.K. Shivakumar's patience is wearing thin, Shivakumar responded: "I will address this matter separately in another press conference. Prepare a list of who said what, and I will respond to all. For now, I wish them well for the New Year. I will send them a needle and thread so they can first mend their broken house."

The cancellation of the dinner meeting organized by state Home Minister G. Parameshwara for SC-ST MLAs, MPs, and Ministers has left them displeased.

Sources confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar had the meeting cancelled through the party high command.

This dinner meeting was scheduled for Wednesday at a private hotel, shortly after CM Siddaramaiah convened a meeting of 34 MLAs and seven ministers on January 2, during which Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar was out of the country.

This development sparked speculation that the meeting was intended to undermine Shivakumar, who is reportedly preparing to take on the CM role sooner, sources indicated.

Former CM and BJP MP Bommai had claimed that Shivakumar's patience with the party is nearing its limit.