New Delhi: Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar on Wednesday refuted the speculation of change of guard in the state saying these all are only in media and also asserted that he would love to work as a party worker that he has been doing for past 45 years.
The Congress leader, amid political row over Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being pitched as the party’s prime ministerial face over her brother Rahul Gandhi, he clarified that she is only dedicated to making Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister.
Shivakumar, who had arrived in the national capital on Tuesday, while speaking to the media on a question about the speculations of change of guard in the southern state said, “Where is speculation. Only speculation with the media. There is nothing (no change of guard). No speculation in the party and the government. There is no such speculation.”
When asked that he also had met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over breakfast, the Karnataka Congress chief said, “It is routine meeting, we meet Chief Minister, Ministers, media, bureaucrats, businessman etc and these are all routine.”
To a question by The Daily Guardian that if any rotational chief minister formula was promised or discussed, Shivakumar said, “I can’t disclose what all we discussed. We are joined together. We have worked together and brought the government together.
“Party workers of the state has given their life, sweat and all of them support to us. I am grateful to people of Karnataka as they gave a massive mandate and whatever we promised to them we have delivered to them. And will continue to do so,” he said.
He also thanked the party high command and said that he was happy that they (party high command) has given him a free hand. “Not only myself and all team not only Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah, all the MLAs, candidates, workers made their sacrifice and they have brought us to power,” he said.
While responding to a question that if he has sought any appointment with the party leadership, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “This trip, I’m not meeting anyone. No one is there is Bangalore, Rahul Gandhi has come yesterday and I don’t want to disturb him.”
When asked if he would love to continue working as deputy Chief Minister for a term of five years, he said, “I love to be a party worker, any position of the party I would love to work.”
He also said that since 1980 he has been a party worker and till today he continues to be.
While reacting to some party leader’s comments that Priyanka Gandhi has brighter future, Shivakumar said: “I am not aware of all these issues. My leader is AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, they are at the helm of affairs and they are running the party under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi.”
He said, “Whatever they take a call all will look into it. There is also a CWC to it. And one or two leaders like me, should be on basic principle of political party, no names should be speculated. We believing leadership. Anyday Congress party can take a decision. No discipline is more important I don’t want anyone to make any confusion. Rahul Gandhi has walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir when the party was in crisis and given a big stand to country. He has taken a lead.
Priyanka Gandhi only one motto is to see Rahul Gadhi as PM. She is committed and she is fighting for that and she is fighting for LoP and her brother.
When asked about the cabinet reshuffling, he said its better you speak to my Chief Minister.
