Bengaluru, Feb 6 (NationPress) The debate over leadership in Karnataka has reignited, as Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress MLC, asserted that the party's high command has dismissed calls for a leadership shift, ensuring that his father will be the Chief Minister for the full five-year term.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Friday, Yathindra's comments gained traction amid speculation that they aimed at countering Congress MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj, a loyal supporter of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Basavaraj had called for clarity from the party high command regarding the leadership situation in the state, voicing his concerns on Thursday.

Yathindra stated, “Currently, no one has suggested removing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from office. My father is set to serve the full five years. The high command has not supported any efforts to alter the Chief Minister's position. Thus, I firmly believe Siddaramaiah will continue for the entire term.”

In response to inquiries, he emphasized, “There exists no confusion within the party. The media should direct questions to sir (Chief Minister Siddaramaiah) regarding this.”

He reiterated that the high command had made it clear that changes in leadership were not in the cards. “Given this context, I assert that Siddaramaiah will remain in his role for the entirety of his term,” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister Priyank Kharge addressed Basavaraj’s plea for intervention from the high command, affirming in Bengaluru that party leaders would be consulted as necessary.

Kharge noted that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had clearly articulated their intention to step in when appropriate decisions need to be made. He emphasized that discussing such issues in the media is unproductive.

In a related incident, supporters of Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara chanted “next CM Parameshwara” during his visit to Chikkamagalur, urging party leadership to consider him for the Chief Minister position.

It is worth noting that the discord within the Congress-led government in Karnataka reemerged on Thursday as Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar's supporters, including MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj, called for the high command to address the leadership dilemma.

MLA Basavaraj commented, “It was previously mentioned that both leaders (Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar) would be summoned to Delhi on February 2. However, due to the Assembly session being extended until February 4, that meeting was postponed. The Congress high command will convene them again. While I am unsure of the exact purpose of the summons, I believe it pertains to discussions regarding the Chief Minister’s role.”

“It seems the Congress high command aims to resolve the matter. Clarity will emerge when the leaders meet in Delhi. There’s no need for ongoing confusion. I’m uncertain about any power-sharing agreement, but if one exists, the Congress high command should clarify it,” he further stated.

“I firmly believe Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar should assume the role of Chief Minister of Karnataka. I took my oath in his name, and I owe my position as MLA to Shivakumar. I stand resolutely with him. There is no question of retracting my stance. However, if the Congress high command confirms that there’s no power-sharing arrangement and that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will continue, I can accept that too. Even if a new leader is appointed, that would be acceptable. It’s vital for the high command to end this confusion. Public discussions on internal matters do not reflect well,” Basavaraj concluded.

“In a couple of days, the Congress high command may call both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar to Delhi,” he added.