Who raised the question of change of leadership? The decision will be taken by the high command: Karnataka Home Minister!

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has dismissed speculations of an alleged leadership struggle within the Congress government in the state and said that any decision regarding the post of Chief Minister will be taken only by the party high command. He also raised the question as to who has raised the issue of change of leadership.

While talking to journalists in Bengaluru, in response to a question on his old claim regarding the post of Chief Minister, Parameshwara said that he is not silent on this issue, but does not believe in public statements.

He said, “I am not silent. Do you want me to make statements on this issue everywhere? There is a high command in the party and it will decide at the appropriate time how things will move forward.”

He further said, “I cannot get any post in the party by giving statements in the media. Only the high command will take the decision. Discussing here whether to change the Chief Minister or continue will not change anything. The final decision will be taken by the high command.”

Parameshwara also said that as per his knowledge, no time limit was fixed for the tenure of Siddaramaiah when he was made the Chief Minister after Congress came to power.

He said, “As far as I know, no fixed tenure was kept for Siddaramaiah. Neither the high command nor the party general secretaries gave us any information about this.”

When the Congress high command was asked a question demanding clarity on the leadership dispute, Parameshwara said that when there is no question then why should there be a need for clarification.

He said, “If there is any question, he will clarify. When there is no such question then why clarify? Who has raised the question of change of leadership? Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has already clarified that he has not made any demand for change of leadership.”

Congress MLA and former minister K.N. When Rajanna said that Parameshwara should become the Chief Minister if there is a change of leadership, the Home Minister said that this statement was given in good faith.

He said, “We are from the same district and have studied together. It is natural that there would be mutual goodwill. They must have felt that if given a chance, Tumakuru district should get representation. What is wrong in this?”

Parameshwara also defended his statement on linking Tumakuru city with Bengaluru to attract investment. He clarified that he is not talking about changing the identity of Tumakuru district.

He said, “My suggestion should be understood in the right perspective. I am not changing the name of the district. Who am I to change the identity of the area? Considering the proximity of Tumkuru city to Bengaluru, if the name of Bengaluru is linked to it, it will help in attracting investment.”

Accusing BJP of unnecessarily criticizing him, he said that the party is not understanding the concept of development.

Giving an example, Parmeshwar said that Noida is considered a part of Delhi region, but it maintains its own separate identity. Similarly, in many countries of the world, neighboring cities are linked together for development.

He said that Tumkuru is very close to Bengaluru and an industrial hub is being developed there on 20,000 acres, two phases of which have been completed. He claimed that it is being described as Asia’s largest industrial hub.

“We have allotted land for Japanese township and many big companies have come there. Food parks have also been set up. Tumakuru has lakhs of students, nine engineering colleges and three medical colleges. They need opportunities,” he said.