Bengaluru, July 1 (NationPress) The internal discord within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka erupted publicly on Tuesday, as MLAs aligned with Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar advocated for a shift in leadership.

This situation has taken on added importance as AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala engages in individual discussions with party MLAs for the second day running in Bengaluru.

MLA Iqbal Hussain from Ramanagara, a close ally of Deputy CM Shivakumar, openly expressed the need for a leadership overhaul in the state. "I am unconcerned about potential repercussions from the party. They can do as they wish. I demand a change — a new leadership. I will voice my concerns to Surjewala regarding the Chief Minister's position," he declared.

Similarly, H. C. Balakrishna, an MLA from Magadi and a supporter of Shivakumar, shared that Shivakumar is poised to become the Chief Minister. “Shivakumar has been a valuable asset to the party over the years. He was pivotal in securing Congress's victory alongside Siddaramaiah during the Assembly elections,” he stated.

“He deserves this chance,” Balakrishna added.

In contrast, Congress MLA K. Raghavendra Hitnal from Koppal insisted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will serve his full term, denying any possibility of a leadership change.

Veteran MLA Raju Kage, who has previously voiced his discontent with the party's leadership, mentioned that he would relay his views to Surjewala. “I have shared my thoughts with the media before, and I will reiterate them to him. I am not after a ministerial role, nor am I attempting to curry favor. My concern is for the people,” he stated.

“Ministers fail to acknowledge our correspondences. They need to allocate time to MLAs,” he continued. When asked about his next steps should his demands remain unmet, he replied, “I will observe how the situation develops within the party.”

In response to the public declarations from Congress MLAs advocating for a leadership change, Deputy CM Shivakumar cautioned that notices would be dispatched to those who approach the media.

“I will bolster CM Siddaramaiah's position,” he affirmed.

“There is no need for concern. These meetings are strictly organizational. Party officials have undergone changes nationwide,” Shivakumar clarified.

He emphasized that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had declared this year as the 'year of organization', highlighting the importance of empowering state leaders. “All District Congress Committee (DCC) Presidents were summoned to Delhi, where discussions ensued. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other national general secretaries have been holding discussions throughout the day. Surjewala is here to address organizational matters and listen to MLAs' grievances,” he explained.

“This is about establishing discipline. Beyond that, the question of leadership change has not arisen. None of us are concerned. Our focus is on the upcoming 2028 Karnataka state Assembly elections,” Shivakumar reiterated.

“I will serve notice to Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain for publicly demanding a leadership change. No one should engage with the media. I will convey the same to MLAs Iqbal Hussain, B. R. Patil, and H. C. Balakrishna,” he stated.

“Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister, and we must strengthen both his leadership and the government,” emphasized Shivakumar.

Reacting to MLA B. R. Patil's complaints about insufficient funding, Shivakumar assured that the government is allocating ₹1 lakh crore for welfare initiatives. “This encompasses ₹54,000 crore for guarantee schemes and ₹19,000 crore as power subsidies for farmers. Including additional welfare projects, it totals nearly ₹1 lakh crore. Such developmental initiatives are unparalleled across the nation,” he noted.

Meanwhile, B. R. Patil, a senior Congress MLA and Deputy Chairman of the State Policy and Planning Commission, voiced his frustration regarding the lack of adequate funds for MLAs. “I introduced Sonia Gandhi to Siddaramaiah when he joined Congress. He was fortunate enough to become Chief Minister twice. I have remained in my position,” he remarked.

In response to Patil’s comments, CM Siddaramaiah remarked, “B. R. Patil and I were both elected as MLAs at the same time — perhaps that explains his statements.”