Chitradurga: Former Karnataka minister H Anjaneya urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to project Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi as the next chief ministerial face, fueling speculation over a possible leadership change in the state.
Speaking at an event, Anjaneya, a close Siddaramaiah loyalist, said, “Wherever he (Satish) goes, people raise slogans that the next CM will be Satish Jarkiholi. In the past, he organised people and rallied behind Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah, after completing his term, should project Satish Jarkiholi as the next CM face.”
The former minister also expressed confidence that Siddaramaiah would facilitate Jarkiholi’s rise, adding he “heartily wished that Satish had the opportunity to rule the state.”
The remarks come amid renewed speculation over a leadership tussle between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. In recent weeks, visits by either leader to Delhi have been preceded by rumours about a potential change in state leadership.
Shivakumar loyalists, including Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain, claimed that “80-90 MLAs” had petitioned the party high command to give Shivakumar a chance to lead the government. Hussain also countered repeated assertions by MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah that his father would serve the full term.
A day before Anjaneya’s remarks, Jarkiholi acknowledged the ongoing tussle, saying, “There is a battle going on. Let’s see what happens. We are awaiting a decision.”
Responding to claims that Shivakumar enjoys broader support within the Congress Legislature Party, Jarkiholi said, “Whoever is efficient will be selected. The situation has not arisen.” On his own prospects, he remarked, “Let’s see when the time comes.”
