In an intriguing statement, Yathindra, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, suggested on Wednesday that a strong performance by the ruling Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka could secure his father's position as Chief Minister for a complete five-year term. This remark has reignited discussions on the persistent leadership question within the party.
Following the Congress's decisive victory in the Assembly elections last May, Siddaramaiah emerged victorious in the fierce contest for the Chief Minister's post against senior party leader D K Shivakumar. Shivakumar was appointed as the sole deputy Chief Minister and retained his position as the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
During that time, speculations circulated within a segment of the party about a power-sharing arrangement, indicating that Shivakumar might assume leadership after two and a half years. However, no official confirmation was provided, and speculation about the leadership issue continued.
Addressing a gathering in the district headquarters town of Hassan, Yathindra urged the public to maintain their support for Siddaramaiah. He emphasized that the Congress, under Siddaramaiah's leadership, must face the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. Yathindra expressed that winning a significant number of seats in the election would provide moral strength to the party.
Yathindra highlighted the Congress government's substantial annual expenditure of about Rs 56,000 crore on the implementation of 'guarantee schemes' for social welfare. He asserted that no other government in Karnataka's history has undertaken such extensive welfare measures for the common man and the poor.
While acknowledging the existing public support, Yathindra called on the people to demonstrate their backing for the government in the Lok Sabha elections by securing maximum seats for the Congress under Siddaramaiah's leadership. He contended that with this strengthened position, Siddaramaiah could continue implementing guarantee schemes for the next five years and serve as Chief Minister without hindrance.
(With Agency Inputs)
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