The Karnataka unit of the Congress is currently witnessing a debate over whether there could be a new chief minister in the state.
Published Nov 05, 2023 | 9:01 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 06, 2023 | 6:08 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Supplied)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on the Congress government in Karnataka during his speech in poll-bound Rajasthan on Sunday, 5 November, saying the grand old party had damaged the southern state.
He said the Congress harmed Karnataka where development had come to a standstill, and raised doubts about the continuation of its chief minister.
“Look at the Congress government which was formed just six months ago in Karnataka… The chief minister does not know how long he is going to be the head of the state. It has spoilt Karnataka, where the development activities have come to a standstill,” he said.
He also targeted the ruling Congress in Rajasthan over “infighting” between two groups — an apparent reference to the feud between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot.
“The Congress indulges in corruption and spoils the states where it forms government. It indulges in infighting and has no time for the people,” said Modi at a public meeting at Khandwa in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.
This is the culture of Congress, where infighting continues. And their judge sitting in Delhi adjudicates and runs the shop,” Modi added.
“Wherever the Congress government is formed by mistake, a competition to loot the state between its chief minister and his deputy is taking place and such news is coming regularly from Karnataka,” he said.
Notably, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP of creating confusion about the change of chief minister in Karnataka.
He also claimed that the BJP and the JD(S) were “frustrated” because their dream of forming a government after the Assembly poll results in May did not come true.
Ever since the Karnataka government came to power, there have been claims and counter-claims within the Congress about Siddaramaiah having to make way for current Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress chief DK Shivakumar after two and a half years at the helm.
Modi said, “In Rajasthan, after getting a clear majority, two groups have been fighting for the last four and a half years for 24 hours.”
He also obliquely referred to the murder of Kanhaiyalal in Rajasthan.
“The Congress promotes mafia raj, corruption, and loot. Celebrations after slitting the throat of a man were beyond imagination in Rajasthan. This happened in the Congress government’s rule,” he said.
Modi said Madhya Pradesh should understand from other states and be cautious about the people who divide the society.
It has been over five months since Siddaramaiah took oath as the chief minister of Karnataka, but the post is still a topic of hot debate for the Congress.
Even before he took the oath, the struggle for the post was causing the grand old party a headache, with Shivakumar demanding it.
The issue was settled with Shivakumar being given the deputy chief minister’s position.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders have since had to issue warnings to Karnataka Congress leaders and cadres not to speak out of turn, but talks of whether the chief minister would change continued unabated.
Even though Siddaramaiah underlined on Thursday that he would be completing the full term as the chief minister, Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday made no secret of his desire to occupy the top post if luck was on his side.
Parameshwara was reacting to Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna’s wish to see him as the chief minister someday.
Meanwhile, Karnataka IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge told reporters the issue of change of guard was decided by “four people in Delhi”.
“As I have said, four people sit together in Delhi (and decide). Barring those four people, whoever talks has no value. And the high command should decide. If the high command says that I am the chief minister, then I will say ‘yes’ to it,” he said.
Shivakumar’s brother and Lok Sabha member DK Suresh said there was no point in discussing speculative questions when the chief minister’s post was not vacant.
“Siddaramaiah is the chief minister. The chief minister’s post is not vacant. This matter should be discussed when the post is lying vacant. What is the use of such talks (now)?” asked Suresh.
He added that the people of Karnataka had given the Congress five years to rule the state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have the target of ensuring the smooth functioning of the government, he noted.
(With PTI inputs)
