States » SouthPosted at: Jul 1 2025 6:58PM


Shivakumar slams leadership change talk, warns dissenters

Bengaluru, July 1 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar today issued a sharp warning to Congress legislators making public remarks about a change in leadership, asserting that there is absolutely no discussion or plan to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and that party discipline is non-negotiable.
In a strongly worded statement, Shivakumar told reporters, “There is no leadership change being discussed. No such talks have happened. I will issue a notice to Iqbal Hussain — who is he to say who will be the Chief Minister? There is no need for anyone to speculate on who should lead the state. Anyone who speaks out of turn to the press will face consequences.”
This direct rebuke comes in the wake of senior MLA HA Iqbal Hussain’s claim that over 100 Congress MLAs favour DK Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s post. Shivakumar categorically rejected the comment, framing it as a "violation of party discipline". He said similar warnings had been issued to other MLAs, including BR Patil, and Belur Balakrishna.
“Party discipline is a must. There is no need for panic. Our government is stable, our leadership is intact, and our focus is on governance and party organisation, not political manoeuvring,” he stressed.
Shivakumar clarified that the current phase of internal changes within the Congress is part of a nationwide initiative led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who have designated this period as the “Year of Organisation.”
“Kharge ji, during a meeting in Belagavi, announced that this year would be focused entirely on strengthening party structures. Based on that, we have begun revamping district and block Congress leadership across the country,” he explained.
He detailed that a comprehensive meeting had taken place in Delhi where around 300 party leaders from each division were called and briefed from morning till evening. “Each was told how to build party offices, define roles, and structure organisational responsibilities,” he added.
The KPCC has begun implementing this mission in Karnataka. Shivakumar revealed that working presidents and in-charge secretaries have already been deployed to various districts to conduct block-level meetings and organisational assessments.
He also mentioned that local teams are being sent across the state, including in urban areas like Bengaluru, where MLAs have been assigned to oversee organisational work in neighbouring vacant constituencies.
“We are moving fast. Wherever required, we are putting in-charge leaders to revive grassroots organisation. Elections will follow. Our preparations are underway,” he said.
Reiterating his stance, Shivakumar urged party leaders to refrain from making public comments that could harm the party’s image or unity. “Such statements only cause confusion and are unacceptable. The Congress is a disciplined party. No one should step before the press and indulge in speculation,” he said.
He emphasised that strengthening Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s hand and supporting the government’s functioning was the top priority.
Turning the focus to governance, Shivakumar highlighted that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has earmarked over Rs 1 lakh crore for welfare schemes, making it the most generous welfare agenda of any Indian state.
“We are giving Rs 54,000 crore for irrigation, Rs 19,000 crore for power — especially free power to farmers — and various housing and social welfare schemes. Vehicles are being given through state corporations. This is for the development of the people and constituencies,” he said.
He underlined that no other state in the country has such a vast welfare budget and urged people to understand the Congress government's commitment to development.
When asked about reports that Malur MLA Nanjegowda was promised the KMF (Karnataka Milk Federation) Chairman post, Shivakumar acknowledged the assurance but brushed it off as a separate issue, unrelated to current political developments. “Political and cooperative developments are separate. I’m not getting into that discussion now,” he said. UNI BDN SSP
Tags: #Shivakumar slams leadership change talk# warns dissenters
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