Will Serve Full Five-Year Term, Says CM Siddaramaiah, Rejects Power-Sharing Talk
During a discussion in the assembly on the issues pertaining to North Karnataka's development, Siddaramaiah also said he never mentioned that he was the Chief Minister for only two-and-half years
Belagavi: Seeking to clear doubts raised by the Opposition over the duration of his term, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday asserted on the floor of the Assembly that he had been elected as the Congress Legislature Party leader for a five-year term and would continue as Chief Minister unless the party high command decided otherwise.
Opposition MLAs raised a series of questions to the Chief Minister linked to his continuation in office, including whether he would complete the full five-year term and even who would present the next State Budget. The questions, repeatedly aimed at drawing clarity on the tenure issue, led to sharp exchanges in the House, with Siddaramaiah firmly maintaining his stand that he has been elected for five years and his continuation as Chief Minister would be decided by the party high command.
The topic came up in the Assembly when Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka and BJP MLA from Karkala, Sunil Kumar, questioned Siddaramaiah about the tenure of his leadership.
“When you became Chief Minister, were you elected as the Legislature Party leader for five years or was it for two-and-a-half years?” Ashoka asked.
Replying, Siddaramaiah said, “I have been elected for a five year term. There has been no decision on a two-and-a-half-year term.”
Sunil Kumar said that the Opposition did not want Siddaramaiah to have a shorter tenure. “We only want to know whether your MLAs or the party high command want you to be Chief Minister for two-and-a-half years,” he said.
Responding firmly, Siddaramaiah said he had been elected for a five-year term. “We are a high-command-driven party. We will act according to what the high command decides. I have already completed one full five-year term as Chief Minister and have been elected again for a second term. I have completed two and a half years. I am the Chief Minister now and will continue,” Siddaramaiah asserted.
Reiterating his stand, he added, “We are a high-command-driven party. According to me, the high command is with us. Whatever decision the high command takes, we will abide by it.”
The exchange briefly turned light-hearted when Ashoka remarked that Siddaramaiah should check whether his current term was indeed for five years. “Last time it was five years, but this time there seems to be a mistake in writing. It must be two-and-a-half years. Please set it right,” Ashoka said with a smile.
Countering him, Siddaramaiah asked, “Were you present during the discussion?”
Ashoka replied, “I got every update then, but do not ask me who gives me the information.”
Amid the heated exchange, Siddaramaiah also asserted that the BJP would never return to power in the State. “I swear the BJP will not come to power in Karnataka. We will win the elections in 2028 and again in 2033,” he said.
He also questioned why senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa was not allowed to complete a full five-year term as Chief Minister.
The Congress MLAs asked why BJP was bothered about the issue and also pointed at them that during BJP rule the state had three Chief Ministers.
The discussion in the House assumes significance amid intense speculation over a possible leadership change in the State. While supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been pressing for a 2.5-year tenure for him, Siddaramaiah’s camp has been insisting that the Chief Minister should complete the full term. Adding another dimension to the debate, there have also been demands for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka.
