Bengaluru: The power struggle within the ruling party in Karnataka has intensified with KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar digging his heels in and demanding nothing less than the post of deputy chief minister at a time when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed himself against the creation of another power centre in the cabinet.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior Congress leader said that Dr Parameshwar reportedly made it clear to central leaders that he would prefer to be appointed as deputy chief minister rather than be inducted as another minister. In case the party was averse to giving him the number two position in the ministry, he would prefer to continue as KPCC president.
“After he was elected to the Legislative Council last week, central leaders sought Dr Parameshwar’s opinion about his preference of posts. He hinted that he wants to occupy the number two slot in the cabinet, implying that he was keen to be appointed the deputy chief minister,” the leader added.
The leader said Mr. Siddaramaiah, however, was opposed to the idea of creation of deputy chief minister’s post. “Instead, Mr Siddaramaiah offered two important portfolios to Dr Parameshwar. In response, Dr Parameshwar reportedly said he would prefer to serve as MLC while continuing to head KPCC. This has put both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and central leaders in a fix,” the leader added.
