Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister of Karnataka has reiterated that the coalition government in the state will not collapse and also that he has urged Rahul Gandhi not quit as the president of the AICC
Bengaluru: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has reiterated that the coalition government is under no stress whatsoever. This comes close on the heels of many Congress and JD(S) leaders openly thumping their chests for ministerial berths.
There were talks that Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy was having a word with Siddaramaiah himself on how to save the government, and the latter gave him as many as five suggestions for a smooth sailing.
But now, in what comes as a volte-face, Siddaramaiah has stressed that there will be no cabinet reshuffle or expansion.
He said, “No decision has been taken on expansion or reshuffle. The government is safe. I don't know about the efforts of BJP to topple our govt.”
Reacting to this message, this is what BJP had to say.
“On one hand, HDK (Kumaraswamy) is worried his government will fall due to the Congress’s discontent. But Siddaramaiah is saying nothing will happen. This is giving a contradictory message,” said Shreenath Sheshadri, a BJP spokesperson.
Moving to a greater issue of Rahul Gandhi insisting that he would resign as Congress president, the former chief minister said he requested the AICC chief to soldier on as there is no alternative leader.
He said, “I requested Rahul Gandhi not to pursue with his resignation, there is no alternative leader. He has to continue.”
On the other hand, the BJP lampooned the crisis of the Congress.
“The Congress mindset doesn’t accept anyone else as its president. There is no parallel in the Congress party. The leaders in the second rung are well over 60 years of age. Therefore, it will take a long, long time to search for an alternative. The wait will only get longer,” said Sheshadri.
Owing to party’s ignominious defeat in Lok Sabha election, Rahul is insistent on tendering his resignation, but the senior members of the party are persuading him to reconsider his decision.
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