Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday, 26 October firmly rejected any suggestion that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is being politically sidelined, stating that every Congress MLA in the state stands firmly behind him alongside Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the party leadership. Parameshwara made these remarks while speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru.

'All our MLAs are with Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar and the Congress party. Nobody is isolated,' Parameshwara said, offering an unambiguous show of solidarity at a politically sensitive moment for the ruling coalition.

Sting Operation Controversy

The backdrop to Parameshwara's remarks is an ongoing controversy surrounding an alleged sting operation linked to Siddaramaiah. Parameshwara said the incident was one that 'should not occur in public life' and confirmed that Congress leaders had collectively condemned it. However, he stopped short of elaborating further, noting that the matter is currently under investigation. 'The facts would become clear once the investigation is completed and the report is made public,' he said. This is a developing situation, and the ruling Congress government faces pressure to establish transparency around the probe's findings.

Employment for Kannadigas in IT Sector

Parameshwara also weighed in on a separate but politically charged issue: the alleged exclusion of Kannada-speaking candidates from IT job opportunities in Bengaluru. The controversy gained fresh urgency after a video went viral in which a young woman alleged that IT companies were bypassing candidates who listed Kannada as their mother tongue. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier stated that all necessary steps would be taken to protect the interests of the Kannada people.

Parameshwara reinforced this position, saying that industries receiving state support — including land, electricity, and water — carry a corresponding obligation to employ eligible local Kannadigas in roles matching their qualifications and skills. He expressed particular concern over a pattern where local candidates are reportedly being restricted to lower-level positions such as attendants. 'Kannadigas who have the required qualifications must be given suitable positions in accordance with their educational qualifications and skills,' he said.

'This is not a new issue. The policy of providing employment to local people has been in place for a long time, and all industries must follow it,' Parameshwara added, clarifying that the government's demand is not for unqualified hiring, but for fair and merit-based consideration of eligible local candidates.

Farmer Relief and Valmiki Jayanti

On reports that he intended to pressure the government into releasing ₹2,500 in relief to each farmer, Parameshwara flatly denied using such language. 'I am not someone who puts pressure; I am someone who gives orders. I have already issued an order on this matter,' he said. He also extended greetings to the people of Karnataka on the occasion of Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti, calling on citizens to celebrate it in a fitting manner.

Political Context

The statements come at a delicate juncture for the Karnataka Congress government, which has navigated multiple controversies since coming to power in 2023. The sting operation row involving Siddaramaiah adds to a list of challenges that include the MUDA site allotment case, which had earlier prompted calls for his resignation. Parameshwara's emphatic assertion of unity is widely read as a pre-emptive response to speculation about internal party divisions. With assembly elections still years away, the government's ability to manage these political fires while delivering on key welfare and employment commitments will define its trajectory.