In a measure to end the ongoing debate over potential changes in the Chief Minister position and demands for three additional Deputy Chief Ministers in Karnataka, state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar urged party members and leaders to refrain from making public statements on the issue on Saturday. He warned of disciplinary action against those who do not comply.
Shivakumar, who also serves as the Deputy Chief Minister, advised party members to "shut their mouth" in the interest of party unity. He also requested religious leaders to avoid interfering in political matters.
Currently, there is a growing demand within the state cabinet for appointing three more Deputy Chief Ministers, representing the Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST, and minority communities. Presently, Shivakumar, from the dominant Vokkaliga community, is the sole Deputy Chief Minister in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's cabinet, as per a report on PTI.
On Thursday, Vokkaliga seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji of the Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math publicly urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step down in favour of his deputy, Shivakumar. This was followed by a statement from Veerashaiva-Lingayat seer Srisaila Jagadguru Channa Siddharama Panditaradhya Swamiji on Friday, advocating for ministers from his community to be considered for the Chief Minister position in the event of a leadership change. He also emphasized the need for priority consideration for his community in the appointment of additional Deputy Chief Ministers.
"There is no discussion on any Deputy Chief Minister nor is there any question about the Chief Minister. Swamiji (Vokkaliga seer), out of affection towards me, might have spoken about me. That's all. I request -- I don't need anyone's recommendation. For the work we have done, our party high command will decide," Shivakumar said in response to a question about whether he had discussed the demand for more Deputy Chief Ministers with the high command during his Delhi visit.