Speculation and rumours continue regarding a leadership change in Karnataka, with the latest involving Satish Jarkiholi, minister of public works and a Siddaramaiah loyalist.
Even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been playing down such speculations and demands, and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who many wish to see as the new Chief Minister, has asserted that it is up to the Congress high command to take a call on leadership change, a possible visit of Jarkiholi to Delhi has fuelled rumours. Jarkiholi clarified that his visit was administrative, not political.
"Whenever I go to Delhi, I go and meet party leaders and there is no need to attach any special meaning to this," Jarkiholi dismissed the rumours, stating that his Delhi visit was to meet Central ministers.
However, some party insiders have indicated that his Delhi visit may have something to do with his desire to become the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, a post currently held by Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, a member of the Legislative Council and son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has backed Jarkiholi, saying that his father is in the final stages of his political career and that Jarkiholi must take the Congress forward.
A few days ago, Jarkiholi also said that while there has been talk of a cabinet reshuffle, the final decision regarding this will be taken by the party high command.
"The decision on who should be retained and who should be reassigned will be made by the party leadership. I neither have the power nor the authority to comment on this matter," he stated.
