Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday, 8 June publicly acknowledged that he had sought the Chief Minister's post on three separate occasions and was overlooked each time — most recently when the Indian National Congress (Congress) formed its government in Karnataka and the top post went to Siddaramaiah, with D.K. Shivakumar positioned as the other contender. Parameshwara, a prominent Dalit leader, reportedly broke down in tears before close associates while expressing his disappointment.

Three Missed Opportunities

Parameshwara traced his frustration back to 2013, when he lost his Assembly seat and believes that victory would have altered the leadership calculus. 'Due to my loss, Siddaramaiah became CM,' he said. Notably, allegations had circulated at the time that Siddaramaiah had engineered Parameshwara's defeat to secure the top post — a charge Siddaramaiah has consistently denied.

The second instance came in 2018, when Congress, despite winning a larger seat tally, was outmanoeuvred by the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), which had only 30 MLAs. Political circumstances allowed H.D. Kumaraswamy to form a coalition government and claim the Chief Minister's chair. 'I would have become Chief Minister, but for some unknown reasons, I was not made CM. This is the second time it was missed,' Parameshwara said.

The third and most recent occasion was the formation of the current Congress government, where Parameshwara said he made an active attempt and was confident, but was ultimately assigned the Deputy Chief Minister's post. 'This time, I made an attempt and was confident, but political decisions depend on several factors. Ultimately, I was given the post of Deputy Chief Minister,' he said.

What Parameshwara Told the Party High Command

Parameshwara disclosed that he had at one point conveyed to the Congress high command that if he was not being considered for the Chief Minister's post, he should be allowed to step aside, given the weight of responsibilities he carries. The remark underlines the depth of his disillusionment, even as he continues to serve in the current cabinet.

Speaking at Siddhartha College in Tumakuru while interacting with staff, he also reflected on his political origins. 'Politics was never my plan. Everything happened by chance. When Rajiv Gandhi came as Prime Minister to our campus, I got an opportunity to meet him, and I eventually joined the party,' he reportedly said. He noted that he has spent nearly 40 years in politics, serving as party president and in other senior roles, but has never held the Chief Minister's office.

Political Discipline and Public Accountability

Despite his candid admission of disappointment, Parameshwara struck a note of restraint on the responsibilities of public office. 'We cannot behave as we wish. The people are watching us. I always tell my colleagues that people observe us under a magnifying glass, and we must be careful,' he said.

Why This Matters: The Dalit Factor and 2028

Parameshwara's remarks carry heightened political weight amid reports that the Congress party is preparing to project D.K. Shivakumar as its Chief Ministerial face for the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, as part of a broader strategy to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD(S) alliance. Party sources say his statement has triggered concern within the leadership: as a senior Dalit figure, any perception that he has been repeatedly sidelined could send a damaging signal to key voter communities that Congress relies on in the state. How the party manages this internal tension is likely to shape its electoral calculus ahead of 2028.