Bengaluru: Is the leadership debate still on in the state Congress? IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge added a new dimension to the debate saying it was “his dream” to see his father and Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge become chief minister. His remark has brought back to the fore the issue of a Dalit CM, which was on the backburner. Most Congressmen expect Siddaramaiah to occupy the top post if the party wins again.
IT and BT Minister, Priyank Kharge on Sunday added a new dimension to the leadership debate in the Congress saying it was "his dream" to see that his father and Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge becomes Chief Minister.
Though, he was quick to describe this as his dream, his statement has brought back to the fore the issue of a Dalit CM for Karnataka, which was on the back burner for quite some time. Speaking to reporters here, Mr Priyank said, "I won’t go against the party's wishes. But as a son, I wish to see my father as the CM of this state. We are the party's loyal soldiers, we will do what our party wishes."
He added that the party was facing assembly elections under a "collective leadership" and it will be voted back to power for its pro-people work in the last five years. "My father missed the chance of becoming CM in the past by a whisker. Despite this, he has never indulged in any anti-party activity and never will. Like me, many of his well wishers across the state wish to see him as CM," Kharge junior explained.
Responding to expelled Congress leader, Malikayya Guttedar's remarks, Mr Priyank shot back that Mr Guttedar should have taken this decision (to quit the Congress) two years ago, if he had any problem with the Kharges or the party. "Until yesterday he was enjoying the post of Chairman of the Housing Board," he quipped.
