In a recent statement, Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah relinquished authority regarding the potential appointment of three additional Deputy Chief Ministers in the state, affirming that the decision ultimately rests with the party’s high command. He expressed his unwavering commitment to abide by the decision made by the party leadership.
This development comes after Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna proposed the idea of introducing three more Deputy Chief Ministers in Karnataka, a move he intends to discuss with the Congress high command. Rajanna’s motivation behind this suggestion is rooted in preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Siddaramaiah was quick to clarify that Rajanna’s remarks represented his personal opinion and stated that it was up to the party’s high command to make the final decision. The Chief Minister emphasized that the high command had previously indicated that appointing one Deputy Chief Minister was sufficient, and they had already done so. He remarked that Rajanna’s proposal to engage with the high command regarding three additional Deputy CMs was valid, but he deferred to the party’s central leadership for a resolution.
Rajanna’s proposal for three Deputy Chief Ministers was noteworthy because the initial decision during cabinet formation was to have only one Deputy Chief Minister, namely DK Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president and belongs to the Vokkaliga community. This choice was made amid intense competition between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah for the position of Chief Minister following the May 2023 Assembly election.
It was widely reported that one of the commitments made by Congress leadership to Shivakumar was his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister instead of vying for the Chief Minister’s role.
Reacting to Rajanna’s proposal, State Home Minister G Parameshwara, who had aspirations for the Deputy CM position during government formation, noted that there was nothing inherently wrong in Rajanna’s request for additional Deputy Chief Ministers. Parameshwara acknowledged Rajanna’s intentions were well-placed, aiming to unite all communities in preparation for the impending Lok Sabha elections. However, he emphasized that the decision to implement this proposal ultimately rested with the high command.
As the party grapples with these dynamics, the decision-making process on this matter will be closely watched, particularly considering its potential ramifications on political strategies leading up to the Lok Sabha elections.
