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Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain said that a majority of MLAs, as many as 100, want leadership change in the state, backing Deputy CM DK Shivakumar for the chief ministerial post.
KPCC Chief DK Shivakumar and Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain | File Image
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to party MLA Iqbal Hussain for claiming that a majority of MLAs — as many as 100 — support a change in leadership in the state and back Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for the CM’s post.
The remarks came shortly before Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala met Congress MLAs amid buzz over a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
“Your statements regarding a change in leadership have caused embarrassment to the party,” DK Shivakumar, who also serves as president of KPCC, said in the show-cause notice. “You are hereby directed to provide a clarification within one week.”
While openly backing DK Shivakumar for the CM’s post, Hussain said: “It’s not just me. Over 100 MLAs are in favour of a change. Many of them are waiting for this moment. They want good governance and believe that DK Shivakumar deserves an opportunity.”
“He has worked tirelessly for the party and played a key role in strengthening the organisation. Everyone has seen the transformation in the party’s fortunes since he became KPCC President. Because of his efforts, more and more people are expressing their support for him and are ready to stand by his side,” he added.
However, as speculations mounted over a possible leadership change, Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday said there is no such exercise underway.
Surjewala dismissed the rumours, saying that any concerns—whether genuine or perceived—raised by MLAs should be resolved internally within the party and the government.
He further stated that both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar have assured that the state possesses ample funds to carry out development initiatives.
Criticising the BJP, Surjewala accused the opposition of promoting this narrative with the intent to undermine the Congress government’s welfare guarantees.
“From R Ashok to Vijayendra, all of them have said they want our guarantees to be stopped,” he said, daring the BJP to publicly acknowledge that it is against the people receiving these benefits.
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More
- Location :
Karnataka, India, India
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