Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday warned state Congress legislators against revealing internal matters publicly, even as a group of around 25 Congress MLAs gathered in New Delhi to push for a cabinet reshuffle and increased representation.
Speaking to reporters at AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, Shivakumar said the meeting with the party leadership was not an issue, but indiscipline will not be tolerated. “All party members must maintain party discipline. They must respect the party. They must not harm the party’s reputation in front of the media. The Prime Minister has already spoken about this. Everyone’s future lies in the party, not in the media,” he said.
Responding to questions about the legislators’ visit, Shivakumar said some were informed in advance. He added: “There is nothing wrong with the senior leadership asking for a ministerial position.”
“Even first- and second-time MLAs can become ministers. This has happened before. But this is not the right time. The elections are still ongoing. Some have gone to Tamil Nadu. Let the elections be held first, then we can think about this matter.”
Shivakumar said his meeting with Karji was related to party work in Tamil Nadu. “The party ordered me to go to Tamil Nadu. I went and came back, and I need to go again. I had to report it to the AICC president. I met him and submitted my report,” he said.
According to informed leaders, the lawmakers met for a breakfast meeting at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi, where they discussed the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle. They reportedly signed a memorandum as part of a coordinated effort to convey their demands for ministerial positions to the party leadership.
The campaign revolves around the government completing three years in power and the need to appoint new faces.
Virajpeet MLA AS Ponnanna, who also serves as the chief minister’s legal advisor, told reporters in Madikeri that the demand should not be construed as opposition.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara also said that there was nothing unusual about the ambition of the legislators to join the government. “The chief minister, high command and state party president DK Shivakumar will discuss the reshuffle and take a decision on it,” he said.
Parameshwara added that the Congress follows a fixed process in forming the government, which includes consultations between the Pradesh Congress Committee president, the leader of the Congress legislature and party officials before obtaining approval from the central leadership.
Regarding whether senior ministers could be asked to step down, he said that the leaders would abide by the decision. “If the high command decides, we have to accept it. There is no room to oppose it.”
“Whether it is me or any other senior minister, if the party decides to replace him, we will accept it,” he added, referring to senior colleagues.
He explained that the current discussions are limited to restructuring the Council of Ministers and did not include any change in the party leadership in the state. He said: “At the present time, the discussion is about the cabinet reshuffle, not the party president. Such matters are entirely within the jurisdiction of the senior leadership to decide.”
