Amid the reported efforts by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to get the Congress high command’s nod for Cabinet reshuffle, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok on Monday maintained that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar would get sidelined if the Congress high command gives permission for the Cabinet reshuffle.
In an obvious reference to purported power sharing agreement as per which the Deputy Chief Minister is to succeed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mr. Ashok said the chances of Mr. Shivakumar becoming the Chief Minister would be bleak if the high command agrees to a Cabinet reshuffle. Referring to Mr. Shivakumar’s recent visits to temples, Mr. Ashok remarked that: “Going to temples and performing poojas will go in vain if there is a Cabinet reshuffle.”
Seeking to debunk the Congress leaders’ claims that their visits to Delhi had nothing to do with leadership change, Mr. Ashok wondered why they were going to Delhi then. “Even the DK brothers (D.K. Shivakumar and his brother D. K. Suresh) camped in Delhi. If the issue of changing the Chief Minister has not surfaced, then why is everyone meeting AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge?” he asked.
“The problems of sugarcane farmers have not been resolved, human-wildlife conflict has intensified, compensation for rain damage has not been given. Instead of trying to resolve these problems, the Congress leaders are busy in a musical chair competition for the Chief Minister’s post,” he alleged.
Mr. Ashok recalled that he had predicted a November revolution signifying change in the chief ministerial post, a long time ago.
Expressing concern over a spate of deaths of blackbuck at the Chennamma Mini Zoo, he described it as a shocking matter and urged Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to respond. He demanded that the officials concerned should take precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of such things.
Stating that the Opposition BJP-JD(S) would raise the issues related to sugarcane farmers’ unrest and law and order situation in the State during the forthcoming winter session of the State Legislature to be held in Belagavi, Mr. Ashok said the BJP leaders would consult Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy in this regard.
Published – November 17, 2025 09:36 pm IST
