RB News World Latest News
Related Articles
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence on Thursday. This meeting has further fueled speculation about a power struggle for the post of Chief Minister in the state. However, after the meeting, Shivakumar stated that they did not discuss any political issues. He explained that as the head of the state Congress unit, he had come to share his views on the central government’s decision to amend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This conversation took place ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for December 27.
“Whether there is a post or not, I will remain a party worker.”
Shivakumar said he did not raise any other issues with Kharge. He said, “There is no need for that, I will not do that, there is no such thing right now. Siddaramaiah and I have said that we will abide by the high command’s decision, and we are committed to that.” When asked what he meant by calling himself a party worker, Shivakumar clarified that he meant serving the organization as a lifelong member of the party, regardless of position. He said, “I am a lifelong party worker. Whether I hold a position or not, I will remain a party worker. I have hoisted the party flag, both as a party worker and as president.”
“I have not come here just to sit on the stage and give a speech.”
Shivakumar further said, “I have pasted party posters, and I have also done sweeping work. I have done everything for the Congress party. I have not come here just to sit on the stage and give a speech.” When asked when he would be rewarded for his hard work, he said, “I will not answer such things.” This power struggle within the ruling Congress party intensified after the Congress government in the state completed half of its five-year term on November 20. Since then, there has been speculation about a change of Chief Minister.
“As a senior leader, he offered his guidance.”
Shivakumar’s meeting with the Congress chief assumes significance because Kharge had said on Sunday that the confusion regarding leadership in the Karnataka unit exists only at the local level, not within the party high command. Kharge also urged local leaders to take responsibility for internal disputes and not blame the high command. Reacting to the Congress president’s statement, Shivakumar said, “As a senior leader, he offered his guidance.” Kharge’s statement came amid expectations within Congress and political circles that the party high command would summon both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi after the assembly session ends on December 19 to resolve the leadership issue in the state.
“There’s no decision to remain in office for just two and a half years.”
Amid the leadership issue, Siddaramaiah had asserted in the assembly on December 19 that he would remain in office. He also stated that the Congress high command is in his favor and that he has not made any decision to remain in office for only two and a half years. Responding to this, Shivakumar said on Friday that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have reached an agreement with the Congress high command’s participation, and both will abide by it. The Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, will meet on December 27th to discuss the government’s decision to replace the MGNREGA with the improved VB-GRAMG Act.
“This is detrimental to the poor, laborers, and farmers.”
Accusing the central government, Shivakumar said on Thursday that the central government has tried to kill the scheme by removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the MGNREGA. He said, “The new law requires states to contribute 40 percent of the scheme, which no state can afford, and even BJP-ruled states will not be able to implement it. This is detrimental to the poor, laborers, and farmers. We have to fight; we are planning to. As the state Congress president, I will launch a major movement against this.” All Panchayat members and MGNREGA workers should unite to ensure the restoration of MGNREGA and protection of rural development.
