Karnataka Excise Minister R.B. Timmapur on Saturday defended the ongoing Congress leadership tussle in the state, asserting that legislators expressing aspirations for ministerial positions is a natural feature of the party's internal democratic structure. Speaking to reporters in Bagalkot, Timmapur — a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — sought to frame the intra-party churn as healthy democratic expression rather than destabilising dissent.

What Timmapur Said on the Leadership Tussle

The minister was responding to reports that several Congress MLAs had threatened to approach the party high command in Delhi if they were not allocated ministerial berths. Timmapur pushed back on any suggestion that such moves were inappropriate.

"There is internal democracy in the Congress party. Naturally, legislators express their opinions, and there is nothing wrong with that. Wanting to become a minister is not a mistake. MLAs will seek opportunities, but the high command will carefully evaluate all factors before deciding who should be made ministers," Timmapur said.

The remarks signal that the Siddaramaiah camp is taking a conciliatory line on the aspirations of backbench legislators, even as the high command in Delhi is expected to make the final call on any cabinet reshuffle.

Timmapur Rejects BJP's 'Appeasement' Charge on Kalaburagi Case Withdrawal

The minister also directly addressed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegations that the Congress government withdrew cases linked to the Ladle Mashak Dargah clash in Kalaburagi as an act of Muslim appeasement. Timmapur flatly rejected the charge, drawing a parallel with earlier case withdrawals involving farmers.

"We have earlier withdrawn cases filed against farmers as well. Was that communal? We withdrew cases against eight or nine farmers. Did caste or religion come into the picture there?" he questioned.

He alleged that the BJP was deliberately injecting communal colour into the issue and was itself engaged in appeasement politics. "Our party believes in uniting people of all castes and religions and taking everyone along. The BJP is trying to divide society in the name of religion," he alleged.

Sharp Attack on BJP's Political Record

Timmapur escalated his criticism, claiming that BJP leaders had played no role in India's freedom struggle and had historically relied on communal divisions to sustain their political relevance. "They wake up every morning and speak only in the name of religion. They have neither respect for religion nor love for the country," he said.

These are strong allegations and represent the Congress's broader counter-narrative against the BJP in Karnataka, where the party has been in power since the May 2023 assembly election.

Concerns Over Fuel Prices and Economic Management

Timmapur also raised economic concerns, citing the rising value of the dollar and increasing prices of fuel and LPG cylinders. He criticised what he described as a dismissive attitude from the Centre toward cost-of-living pressures.

"Instead of maintaining good international relations and controlling prices, people are being indirectly told to stop travelling if petrol and diesel prices rise, or stop cooking if cylinder prices increase. What will people think if the Prime Minister speaks in such a manner?" he said.

He alleged that the country's dignity and international reputation were being damaged under the present leadership at the Centre. With the Karnataka cabinet reshuffle question still unresolved, all eyes remain on the Congress high command's next move.