Kalaburagi: In a shot in the arm for chief minister Siddaramaiah, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge Thursday said there will be no “immediate” change at the helm in the state. He said there is still time for a decision on a change in chief minister, and it would be taken at an appropriate stage. “Let the time come,” he said. His remarks gain significance amid claims by supporters of deputy CM DK Shivakumar that a transition could take place on or before May 15, coinciding with his birthday. Dismissing speculation, Kharge said the question of replacing Siddaramaiah “does not arise”. “If a decision is taken, it would be a collective one by party brass, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” he said. On reports projecting him as a possible consensus candidate, Kharge rejected the suggestion, attributing it to media speculation. “Everyone says it, and the media reports it. Party brass and functionaries say it would be good if I become CM. However, rather than treating it as a matter of fate, we work according to our party’s ideology. Most of our decisions are taken by Sonia Gandhi. In any case, that question does not arise now, as Karnataka already has a CM in place,” he said. The issue gained traction after Shivakumar’s recent three-day visit to Delhi. Soon after, many ministers seen as close to Siddaramaiah also travelled to the capital and urged the high command to settle the matter. MLAs aligned with Shivakumar continued to assert that a change is imminent. Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain, a Shivakumar supporter, said that he would assume office on or before May 15. Meanwhile, Kharge was confident that alliances involving the party would secure clear majorities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while outperforming exit poll predictions in Assam. “I feel DMK will get a clear majority in Tamil Nadu… in the same way in Kerala… UDF will get majority,” he said. In West Bengal, he noted a tough fight and added, “As per our information TMC is ahead.” He alleged “oppression and intimidation” by BJP through central forces in West Bengal. He said Congress fought for growth in Bengal and mounted a strong challenge in Puducherry.
