Belagavi, December 9 (NationPress) Following the statement made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, claiming that the Congress leadership has rejected Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar's aspiration to ascend to the Chief Minister role, the Karnataka BJP has raised questions about whether this MLC has emerged as the new high command of the Congress party.

On social media platform X, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, expressed on Tuesday, "While the BJP is uninterested in the Congress's ongoing internal power struggles, we are concerned about one significant issue - the stalling of Karnataka's development and the looming threat of governance paralysis."

"As the Assembly session shifts from Bengaluru to Belagavi for the Winter Session, the Congress leadership's internal conflict remains stagnant.

Staged meetings, arranged photo opportunities, and rehearsed smiles do little to mask the reality. The State Government is effectively immobilized," Ashoka added.

"Karnataka’s governance is at a standstill. Development initiatives are hindered. Yet, the Congress high command is preoccupied with managing personal egos rather than the state's well-being. The ongoing cold war between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar is costing Karnataka dearly," Ashoka criticized.

"The internal chaos within the Congress must cease. The citizens of Karnataka deserve stability instead of perpetual confusion. The pressing question now is: Is Yathindra Siddaramaiah the new 'High Command' of the Congress party?

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge owe clarity to the people of Karnataka," he asserted.

In response to queries concerning the alleged leadership rivalry within the ruling Congress, Yathindra Siddaramaiah stated that those speculating about a change in the Chief Minister's position were merely "dreaming".

He reiterated that the Congress high command has clearly indicated that no leadership change is forthcoming in the state.

Yathindra remarked, "Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has expressed his ambition for the CM role. However, the high command has clarified that this is not the right time and affirmed that leadership will remain unchanged."

In response to Yathindra's comments, Shivakumar stated that there is no discord within the Congress party and asserted that he shares no differences with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "There was no disagreement previously, there is none currently, and there will be none in the future," he claimed.