Karnataka: Parameshwara, 2 others demand Deputy CM post

Bengaluru: Having resolved the impasse over the next Karnataka Chief Minister, Congress has a tough job at hand as three-party MLAs have expressed their desire to be deputy chief ministers alongside DK Shivakumar.

These demands came amid AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal announcing the name of Siddaramaiah as chief minister and DK Shivakumar as Deputy Chief Minister.

"What should I demand? They should give me (DyCM's post). Because, previously I was DyCM. I am expecting that they will give me the post. What they decide, I will see today evening," Karnataka Congress President told reporters here on Thursday before AICC made an official announcement on the next chief minister and DyCM.

Parameshwara was reacting to a question whether he would demand DyCM's post. However, after Venugopal announced that there would be only one Deputy CM in Karnataka, he cautioned the party leadership. "Even I was a chief minister and DyCM aspirant. But, the high command has taken a decision, let us see during the next cabinet expansion," he said.

Parameshwara also said good representation should be given in the government to Dalits, Lingayats and minorities who voted the Congress to power.

"Siddaramaiah has become the CM twice in our party, he must take us into confidence and go forward. Dalits have high ambitions from the party and they must understand this or else naturally there will be a reaction from the community," he said.

Parameshwara had served as DyCM in the Congress-JDS coalition government led by HD Kumaraswamy in 2018.

Two other MLAs who have also thrown the hat into the ring are Lingayat leader MB Patil, Muslim leader Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Dalit leader Satish Jarkiholi, who played a stellar role in registering a thumping win in Belagavi and Kittur Karnataka regions.

Asked if he sees Rajasthan-type situation arising in future, Parameshwara said the party high command will not allow this to happen and try to give justice to everyone.

However, the main job at hand is to fulfil the promises given to the people of Karnataka, if they are not met the people would reject the party in the next election.

"The most important job at hand is that we have made promises to the people of the state to give good governance. Everybody should keep this in mind and work accordingly. Because, people have seen the administration of the BJP.

"Now, they have given the responsibility to us. If we do the same, or do not give good governance, people will reject us. But our objective is not that. We want to give good governance," he said. (UNI)