Senior Congress leader G. Parameshwara on Wednesday, 3 June publicly acknowledged that he had aspired to become Karnataka Chief Minister, but said he fully accepted the high command's decision to appoint him Deputy Chief Minister in the D.K. Shivakumar-led government. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Parameshwara framed the new role as a continuation of his service to the state.

Accepting the high command's call

Parameshwara was unambiguous about his original ambition, even as he closed ranks behind the leadership choice. “It is true that I wanted to become the Chief Minister. However, as disciplined soldiers of the party, we have to abide by the decision of the high command. This is the party's decision, and I have always maintained that I will follow whatever decision the high command takes,” he said.

He pushed back firmly against any suggestion that the Deputy CM post was a step down. “The party has made me the Deputy Chief Minister, and I have accepted it. I believe this is another opportunity to serve the people. There is no question of considering it a demotion,” he added.

On community representation

Asked whether any social group had been bypassed in the leadership selection, Parameshwara rejected the framing. “There is no question of neglecting any community. Such a situation does not arise. The party provides opportunities for different leaders to lead. This time, it has given an opportunity to D.K. Shivakumar, and I congratulate and thank him,” he said.

The remark is notable in the Karnataka context, where caste arithmetic — Vokkaliga, Lingayat, Dalit and OBC blocs — has long shaped Congress's top appointments. Parameshwara, a senior Dalit face of the party, has been a recurring claimant to the top job in past leadership churns.

Portfolio question still open

On the allocation of departments, the Deputy CM-designate said the call lay with the party leadership and the new Chief Minister. “I do not know which portfolio I will be assigned. If I am given the Home Ministry, I will continue in that role. If I am assigned any other department, I will serve there as well,” he said. Parameshwara had previously held the Home portfolio in an earlier Congress-led arrangement.

Thanks to the leadership

Parameshwara thanked AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, and K.C. Venugopal for placing their trust in him. “At this stage of my political career, they have selected me as Deputy Chief Minister. I am grateful for the trust and confidence they have placed in me,” he said.

He also acknowledged Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, both of whom were part of the decision-making process, and congratulated Siddaramaiah on his appointment to the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

What's next

The swearing-in will formally hand Shivakumar the top job after a prolonged power-sharing tussle within the state unit. Portfolio distribution, particularly the politically sensitive Home Ministry, will be the next test of the new arrangement's stability.