Bringing party back to power is more important than becoming CM
Bengaluru, Nov 26: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today said the discussion with Minister Satish Jarkiholi was about bringing the party back to power in 2028 and 2029 elections.
“Satish Jarkiholi is a senior leader of the party. I am the President of KPCC and he is the Working president. We share a very cordial relationship and work together. He is a big asset to the party and we will continue to work together in the future. It has been two and a half year since we assumed office. We discussed what needed to be done in the remaining two and a half years. There was nothing more to the discussion,” he said while speaking to reporters at KPCC office.
My number is 140
Asked about factionalism in Congress, he said, I don’t have any faction. There is only one faction and that is Congress faction. I am not the only one who has worked for the party, it is built on collective leadership. We discussed how to take it forward.”
Asked if the remaining two and a half years are ear-marked for him, he said, “There is no persona agenda here, the party decides on everything. The party has recognized me. All of us, including myself, Siddaramaiah, ministers and MLAs have collectively worked for all elections.”
CM post is not important
“CM post or higher position is not as important as working together with everyone in the party and brining the party back to power in the state,” he said.
Asked about some MLAs travelling to Delhi to lobby for you with the High Command, he said, “I don’t know about it. They must have gone there as they are aspiring to become ministers when the Cabinet reshuffle takes place.”
“The High Command will decide on power transfer and CM post. Senior leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others will take suitable decision,” he added.
Asked about leaders from other parties including Sadananda Gowda talking about power sharing, he said, “There is no need for BJP and JDS leaders to publicly talk about our party matters, let them mind their party affairs. My party will take care of my interest, I don’t need people from other parties to talk on my behalf. I am a pure Congressman.”
Asked about news that there will be a meeting with Rahul Gandhi on November 29, he said, “November 29 is a long way away, will see. November 28 is Constitution Day and there are a lot of functions on that day.”
I am born Vokkaliga
Asked about Ashok’s statement that he was not a Vokkaliga leader, he said, “When have I said that I am a Vokkaliga leader? I am a Congress leader who is born as a Vokkaliga. Even if we leave caste and religion, they won’t leave us. Ashok is wearing a badge of Vokkaliga leader.”
