Bengaluru: In response to reports that Congress National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP K.C. Venugopal had been talking politics with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his close circle during a visit to the state, Home Minister G. Parameshwara denied that any such conversations took place.
He also rebutted the pro‑Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and pro‑Siddaramaiah slogans that were shouted during Venugopal’s visit, which had embarrassed the party.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, Parameshwara said, “I was seated beside the Chief Minister in the presence of K.C. Venugopal for two hours. We did not speak about politics at all. We discussed reformer Narayana Guru and his contributions.”
When asked about supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chanting slogans demanding that he be made CM, and the counter‑slogans from Siddaramaiah’s followers insisting on “Siddu full‑term CM”, Parameshwara replied, “Can anyone stop party supporters if they raise slogans in favour of their leaders? Every leader has supporters. Naturally, they chant slogans demanding that their leader should become Chief Minister or a minister.”
“They do it all the time, and it cannot be termed as wrong,” he added.
Parameshwara went on, “If leaders dining together, traveling together, or being seen together creates panic in the BJP, then we will do it more.”
When asked whether it was Congress leaders who seemed more frightened than the BJP, he answered, “If a specific question is asked, I will respond.”
Regarding comments from certain party leaders that a Dalit leader should be appointed if the Congress high‑command decides to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara said, “I will respond if a particular leader has made such a statement. If the question is specific, I will answer.”
Asked about the Chief Minister’s meeting with the council of ministers, Parameshwara said he had not yet received an invitation and might receive one during the cabinet meeting. “It is the Chief Minister’s discretion to convene meetings of cabinet ministers. Can we tell the CM how to act? It is not possible to control when and how he calls meetings.”
Meanwhile, after returning from Delhi on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar addressed rumours about his trip to meet the national leadership. Speaking at Bengaluru Airport, he said, “I have already said that I had to attend a private marriage ceremony. Secondly, I have to take 300 people from all districts of Karnataka to Delhi on December 14. I have to make arrangements for their travel and stay. We are making railway bookings. Those wanting to travel by air will have to make their own arrangements.”
“I am also busy with matters related to the Assembly session. The respective ministers and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents should take responsibility for party work. I have sought a report from them on the arrangements made to bring party workers to Delhi,” he added.
The joint appearance of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and K.C. Venugopal at an event in Mangaluru on Wednesday, followed by a luncheon meeting, has become a major talking point in state political circles amid the ongoing leadership tussle within the Congress.
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