The victory of the Congress in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly polls has not given a sigh of relief to the party, as two contenders, DK Shivkumar and former CM Siddaramaiah, are in the race for the top post. The top brass of the party has been trying to settle the issue easily.
However, senior Congress leader G Paraeshwara said on Tuesday he was ready to take up the responsibility if the party high command asked him to run the government.
He has the distinction of being the longest-serving KPCC chief (eight years). He was the hot contender to become the CM of Karnataka in 2013. Unfortunately, he lost the elections from Koratagere in Tumakuru district and became an MLC and a minister in the Siddaramaiah government.
The former state Congress President said the high command is aware of his service to the party, and he doesn’t feel the need to lobby for the post.
He went on to say that “if people like us don’t follow things, there won’t be any discipline in the party. I have said that if the high command gives me the responsibility, I will take it. I have not said I won’t,”, he said.
He had served as the Deputy Chief Minister as well. The Dalit leader served as a Deputy Chief Minister during the Congress-JD(S) coalition government led by H D Kumaraswamy in 2018.
“They (high command) too are aware that I have worked for the party, served it for eight years (as KPCC President), and brought it to power (in 2013). They know everything; there is nothing for us to say anew. So I feel there is no need for me to ask for the post or lobby for it, and I’m quiet. That doesn’t mean I’m incapable; I’m capable, and if given the opportunity, I will do the job,” he added.
State Congress President D K Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have been camping in Delhi, where the top brass of the Congress has been facing a difficult time announcing the name of the new CM and the formation of the government, along with pacifying the supporters of both groups.
The Congress unseated the BJP by winning 135 seats in the 10 May polls in the 224-member Karnataka assembly.