Congress MLA's CM change statement causes flutter in Karnataka

Congress’ Mandya MLA Ravikumar Gowda’s (Ravi Ganiga) claim that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will become the chief minister after two-and-half years of the government’s tenure, has caused a flutter within the ruling party circles, with some ministers asserting that incumbent Siddaramaiah will complete full term, and a few others saying it is for the high command to decide.

Also, a dinner meeting at Home Minister G Parameshwara’s residence on Friday night, attended by Siddaramaiah, Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa and PWD Minister Satih Jarakiholi has fuelled speculation in political quarters, as Shivakumar was not part of it.

“There is no brain (in such speculations)…Siddaramaiah will be there for five years…the CM post is not vacant, isn’t he CM now? …He is CM,” Mahadevappa, a close confidant of Siddaramaiah, told reporters in response to a question.