Bengaluru, Oct 27 (NationPress) State Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi, who was hinted as a potential successor to the current Chief Minister by Siddaramaiah’s son, declared in Bengaluru on Monday that no one like Eknath Shinde will rise from Karnataka, emphasizing that the high command will ultimately decide on the leadership position.

Minister Satish is closely associated with CM Siddaramaiah.

Eknath Shinde, the serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, allied with the BJP alongside his supporters, leading to the collapse of the coalition government under Uddhav Thackeray in 2022.

While addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Minister Satish Jarkiholi remarked in response to a media inquiry, “Eknath Shinde is just one individual. There’s no one else of his kind. Everyone will stay within the Congress party; no one is departing.”

“The high command will determine who should be the Chief Minister. It's pointless for me to make any demands. The party boasts 70 years of experience, and they will make the decision. It won't happen merely because I or anyone else claims it. I have not made any demands, nor will I in the future. I have been given the responsibility of being a minister, and I must honor that duty,” he said.

On comments about a “November revolution” within the Congress, he stated, “The party high command will not permit any such revolution. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar are the only instances. There’s no chance of another Shinde or Pawar emerging in state politics. In any case, we are nearing the end of October, and November is fast approaching - let’s see how events unfold.”

When questioned about the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister and Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s endorsement of K.H. Muniyappa for the CM position, Jarkiholi mentioned, “There’s no such opportunity currently. We must wait for the right moment. An opportunity must arise, and until then, we must be patient. Regarding the Dalit CM demand, I previously stated that if the opportunity arises, it is favorable. Everyone has echoed this sentiment.”

“Ultimately, the decision about who should be the Chief Minister and from which community will be made by the high command. They will make a decision in the party's best interest,” he added.

In response to comments from CM Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah regarding his father’s succession, Jarkiholi clarified, “Yathindra has not discussed the Chief Minister or party leadership roles. He has solely addressed ideology.”

Meanwhile, sources revealed that Ahinda leaders representing minority, backward, and Dalit communities in the Congress party are planning to convene another meeting soon in Bengaluru to demonstrate their strength. This meeting will reportedly be organized by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa, and Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, recently commented that his father is nearing the end of his political journey.

Yathindra remarked, “Currently, my father is at the end of his political career. He is in the concluding phase of his political life. At this juncture, for those who embrace scientific and progressive ideas, Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi will assume responsibility and provide leadership. Minister Satish Jarkiholi will also guide all who believe in the Congress party's ideology. I have complete faith that he will lead by example in this regard. It is rare to find leaders committed to ideology. Minister Satish Jarkiholi has embraced that responsibility, and I urge him to persist in his efforts in this direction,” Yathindra added.

This statement gained significance amid speculation about a leadership change and discussions regarding a power-sharing agreement in Karnataka.