Bengaluru, Aug 26 — A statement by former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, Siddaramaiah, on the creation of only one post of Deputy Chief Minister has triggered discussions in political circles, with many viewing it as a subtle indication of his renewed assertion within the Congress after a period of relative political quietness following his resignation as Chief Minister.
The video has gone viral on social media on Wednesday.
Speaking at a seminar on internal reservation on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah made a pointed reference to the decision to appoint G. Parameshwara as the sole Deputy Chief Minister, despite an earlier proposal to create four to five Deputy Chief Minister posts.
During the interaction and while Siddaramaiah was speaking about his contributions to exploited classes through internal reservation, a member of the audience raised the issue of the absence of a Scheduled Caste leader as Chief Minister in Karnataka and urged Siddaramaiah to launch an agitation on the matter.
Siddaramaiah asked the audience whether they were aware of the issue and suggested that they should launch an agitation. When those present asked him to lead the agitation, he reacted sharply, saying that he could not do it alone.
When an audience member pointed out that Siddaramaiah was like the high command within the party and could therefore take the initiative, he dismissed the suggestion, saying that those present were merely making statements for the sake of it.
It was at this point that Siddaramaiah posed a pointed question: “Who got the post of Deputy Chief Minister for G. Parameshwara?”
It can be noted that Parameshwara is one among the front line Dalit leaders in the state. Parameshwara expressed his displeasure over not being the choice for the CM's post. However, he also clarified that he will abide by the decision of the high command.
The audience responded by saying that Siddaramaiah was the person who had ensured Parameshwara’s appointment as Deputy Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah then recalled that there had been a plan to create four to five Deputy Chief Minister posts and asked who had insisted that Parameshwara alone should be made Deputy Chief Minister.
The audience again responded that it was Siddaramaiah who had taken the decision.
The exchange drew applause from those present and has since become a subject of discussion within political circles.
Siddaramaiah’s remarks are being viewed in the backdrop of the political developments in the Congress after he stepped down as Chief Minister. While he has largely maintained a relatively low profile since then, his intervention at the seminar has prompted speculation over whether he is beginning to assert himself more actively within the party.
His reference to the decision on the Deputy Chief Minister’s post has also assumed significance at a time when internal equations within the Congress continue to attract political attention.
It may be noted that Siddaramaiah’s son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, has been given the much-sought-after Urban Development portfolio in the Cabinet.
Insiders say Siddaramaiah is likely to assert himself more strongly in the coming days, particularly through AHINDA platforms, much to the chagrin of Chief Minister Shivakumar.
After Shivakumar took over as Chief Minister, several appointees who were given key positions during Siddaramaiah’s tenure were reportedly removed from their plum postings.