Bengaluru: After a meeting with Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the change in leadership is just speculation. This speculation has been spread by the media.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Mallikarjun Kharge at his Sadashivnagar residence on Saturday night, and the two leaders held discussions for about an hour and a half. The lengthy meeting generated considerable curiosity amid the debate over power sharing.
After the meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “During the meeting with Mallikarjun Kharge, we discussed party organization. Local body elections are coming. Taluk Panchayat elections, District Panchayat elections, and municipal elections in the GBA area were discussed.” He added that it was just a friendly meeting.
There was no discussion about a cabinet reshuffle. There were only speculations about a change in leadership. He said, “You yourself made that speculation.” However, the Chief Minister did not provide any details about the transfer of power. When asked if he had asked Kharge about his meeting with some MLAs in Delhi, he said, “No, I did not ask him about this. I received this information from the Intelligence Department. I did not talk to Kharge about this. It was just a friendly meeting.”
When asked if he was frustrated, he said, “I am not frustrated. I have never been frustrated. You ask me if I am frustrated. There is no question of me ever being frustrated. I am not even very happy.” Siddaramaiah clarified.
On the issue of Congress MLAs going to Delhi to discuss a leadership change, he said, “Let them go to Delhi. Ultimately, whatever decision the high command makes, everyone will have to accept it. All ministers will have to agree. I will have to agree, and DK Shivakumar will have to agree. Mallikarjun Kharge has not been given any proposal regarding a leadership change.”
Sources said that a number of issues were discussed in the meeting with Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, including the current fast-paced political developments, the cabinet reshuffle, and the transfer of power.
