Bengaluru: Home minister G Parameshwara stated that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has effectively put a "full stop" to speculation over a change in chief minister in the state, asserting that the issue stands closed "for now."
Parameshwara Welcomes Kharge's Statement
Welcoming Kharge's statement that Siddaramaiah will continue as chief minister, Parameshwara said on Friday that it "carried weight." He elaborated, "He has expressed an opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and Randeep Singh Surjewala. So, the matter ends there."
Emphasis on Party Discipline
Emphasizing discipline, Parameshwara said, "What the party president has said must be respected and accepted by all. What he said cannot be interpreted in any other way. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should accept it."
Parameshwara also referred to Kharge's experience while addressing earlier suggestions of a change. "Kharge is our national president and has a lot of experience. Many, including me, have said that in the case of change, if he comes to state politics, no one can stand in front of his experience."
Kharge's Remarks in Kalaburagi
In Kalaburagi, Kharge again ruled out a change in chief minister for now while insisting no timeline has been fixed to discuss any change. "I, as AICC president, Sonia Gandhi as Congress Parliamentary party president, and Rahul Gandhi as the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha will take such decisions and act together. We three will fix a date and take a decision. Since no date has been fixed yet, how can I say whether a change is happening or not?"
He said any decision they take will be final and binding. "Whatever decision is taken, it will be in the interest of the state, and everyone will have to support it," Kharge added.
