Anticipated Conflicts and Street Protests Over CM Position: Karnataka BJP Leader
Click to start listening
Bengaluru, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra stated on Thursday that the ruling Congress party in the state is poised to experience street protests and conflicts over the position of Chief Minister, with Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar eagerly awaiting his opportunity to take the role.
During a press briefing in Kalaburagi, Vijayendra mentioned, “The infighting within the Congress party has begun, transitioning from behind closed doors to public view. Conflicts within the party are imminent, and we can expect street fights as well.”
He made these remarks while answering inquiries regarding the conflicting statements from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar about their power-sharing arrangement.
Vijayendra suggested that Deputy CM Shivakumar is poised to take over as CM, asserting that he claims a 50 percent stake in the Congress government’s formation.
The BJP leader emphasized that there is a competitive landscape within the Congress for the CM role and called for Siddaramaiah to clarify their internal agreement's specifics.
In response to inquiries regarding the internal discord over the power-sharing deal involving him and CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar stated on Thursday in Bengaluru, “Currently, there is no intention to transfer power. We will fulfill our government’s term without issues.”
When questioned about Home Minister G. Parameshwara's supposed discontent with the power-sharing arrangement, Shivakumar replied: “I haven’t addressed this in your presence. I haven’t discussed this with Parameshwara or anyone else. I merely shared my viewpoint in a television interview. Should I reveal everything we’ve talked about? The Chief Minister stated yesterday that there hasn’t been any discussion, and I concur with his statement.”
When asked if there were any discrepancies between him and Parameshwara, Shivakumar clarified: “I have no disagreements with anyone. In politics, I have no adversaries – everyone is my ally. We have collaborated as a team within the party and will continue to do so. Together, we will achieve success.”
Regarding the ‘Jan Kalyan Samavesha’ organized by the party, Shivakumar remarked, “We don’t need to prove our strength. When our party conducts events to communicate its principles to the public, why do the BJP and JD(S) feel anxious?... Our party, alongside various organizations, is hosting the convention at Hassan. Several groups have stepped forward to support future events in other districts. When our mothers weep in Hassan, no one has attempted to comfort them,” Shivakumar criticized, referring to the scandal involving Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda.
“They came to Channapatna and wept there as well. The BJP and JD(S) are losing their influence and, out of desperation, are criticizing our initiatives,” Shivakumar asserted while indirectly referencing the defeat of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil in the by-election for the Channapatna Assembly seat. Kumaraswamy previously represented that seat.
