Bengaluru, May 27 (IANS) Amid strong speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, the BJP on Wednesday alleged that the Congress party has adopted a “tender system” in which whoever collects more money for the Gandhi family gets the Chief Minister’s post.
Speaking to IANS, BJP National Spokesperson, Prem Shukla alleged, “The Congress party has adopted a ‘tender system’ in which whoever collects more money for the Gandhi family will be given the Chief Minister’s chair.”
BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also attacked the Congress, saying, “Congress leaders fight among themselves only for power. They have nothing to do with development or the progress of Karnataka. When they come to Delhi, they do not have a road map for development. They do not think about what cooperation to seek from the Central government or how to move forward.”
“Their agenda is about how to loot Karnataka and who will be the boss of that loot,” Hussain claimed.
Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “What is the problem with the Congress party? They are trying to satisfy everyone by implementing a rotational Chief Minister system. However, the mandate they received was not for a rotational Chief Minister or a rotating government. The mandate was for forming a stable government.”
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar, termed the issue an internal matter of the Congress party. He said, “That is an internal matter of the Congress party. Whatever Congress chooses to do is their decision, and what can we do about it?”
On its part, the Congress dismissed the rumours and maintained that there was no need for unnecessary speculation regarding the leadership issue.
Responding to the speculation, Karnataka Minister K.H. Muniyappa said, “This is all speculation; I have no confirmed information. Yesterday, K.C. Venugopal clearly stated that only Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad seats were discussed, and that is what was conveyed to the Press. I am not going beyond that. If the Chief Minister calls tomorrow morning, let me know the outcome. He was also present there.”
Congress MP Jebi Mather also rejected the rumours and said, “The Chief Minister of Karnataka, the Deputy Chief Minister, the PCC President of Karnataka, and other leaders met Rahul Gandhi along with Mallikarjun Kharge. This is a normal and natural process. There is no need for unnecessary speculation. After the meeting, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal clearly stated that the discussion was related to Rajya Sabha and MLC matters, and there is no basis for any speculation.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, D.K. Shivakumar is set to hold a breakfast meeting with CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday, further fuelling speculation over the political scenario in the state.
Shivakumar’s office on Wednesday confirmed the breakfast meeting with Siddaramaiah, scheduled for Thursday (May 28) at the Chief Minister’s residence ‘Kaveri’ in Bengaluru.
The official statement said that Shivakumar, who is currently in Delhi, will leave from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 5 A.M. on Thursday and arrive in Bengaluru at 8.30 A.M. After arriving in Bengaluru, he will head straight to Siddaramaiah’s official residence for the breakfast meeting at 9 A.M.
Sources stated that after the meeting, both leaders are likely to address a press conference and clarify the ongoing speculation surrounding the leadership issue.
Amid the speculation, Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala is arriving in Bengaluru on Wednesday. According to the party, his visit is related to the elections concerning the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
–IANS
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