Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: Further fuelling speculations about leadership change in Karnataka, Yathindra, the son of the chief minister Siddaramaiah, in a statement that set the cat among the pigeons said on Tuesday that his 77-year old father was on the “final phase of his political career” and hinted that he might promote his cabinet colleague Satish Jarkiholi as his successor.
Virtually challenging the common narrative that the deputy chief minister and the Congress state president DK Shivakumar would succeed Mr Siddaramaiah as and when the time comes, Yathindra said his father should become a ‘margdarshak’ (mentor) to Mr Jarkiholi once he stepped down from the office.
Even as late as last month, Siddaramaiah had to step in and deny reports that he would quit as chief minister to make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar. The speculation in this instance had been fuelled by a statement by Congress MP LR Shivarame Gowda, who had called on the party top brass to clear the confusion on the issue.
“There’s no doubt about Shivakumar eventually becoming chief minister, but the final decision rests with the high command. They understand how to manage the party and balance both the chief minister and the deputy chief minister. In the end, hard work always pays off,” Gowda had said. “I will be the chief minister for a full five-year term,” Siddaramaiah had told reporters for the umpteenth time.
Despite denials by the party, sources have repeatedly said there were two distinct camps – one backing Siddaramaiah and the other batting for Shivakumar. Satish Jarkiholi, who is the Public Works Department minister, is seen to be firmly in the Siddaramaiah camp. Observers were, thus, surprised when Siddaramaiah’s son, Yathindra, said on Wednesday that the chief minister is in the final phase of his career and suggested that he mentor someone like Jarkiholi.
Speaking at an event in Belagavi, which was also attended by Jarkiholi, Yathindra, who is a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), said, “My father is in the final phase of his political career. At this stage, he needs a leader with a strong ideology and a progressive mindset whom he can be a ‘margdarshak’ (mentor) to. Jarkiholi is someone who can uphold the Congress party’s ideology and lead the party effectively. I firmly believe that finding a leader with such ideological conviction is rare and I wish he continues this good work.
When reporters asked him about the remarks after the event, Yathindra said he was only suggesting that since his father has said he won’t contest elections after 2028, he can mentor people with similar beliefs to him. “I only said that my father is a person who believes in social justice and the secular principles of the Congress party. Satish Jarkiholi has similar ideals and beliefs. My father has said he won’t contest elections after 2028 and I only said he can be a ‘margdarshak’ to many of the young leaders in the party with such principles,” he said.
Pressed on the succession issue, Siddaramaiah’s son added, “Yes, Satish Jarkiholi definitely has the capability to fill Siddaramaiah’s shoes after his retirement. He is among the very few capable leaders who are ideologically committed.” Political experts said Yathindra’s statements may be calculated and aimed at sending a message to Shivakumar and his followers that power would continue to lie within the Siddaramaiah camp.
Publicly, Shivakumar has emphasised that he was in no hurry to be elevated to the chief minister’s post and has also warned Congress leaders and workers against discussing leadership change in the public. “Where is the discussion on power sharing? It’s me who is saying this. Nothing of that sort should be discussed,” he had said last month.
Asked for a reaction on Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s comment, the deputy chief minister said on Wednesday, “You have to ask him about what he said, how can I answer? I don’t need anyone to discuss about me. Siddaramaiah and I have made it clear that we will listen to the high command and continue working together. I am committed to that.”
The Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, and a possible change at the top is referred to in political circles as “the imminent November revolution.” Yathindra had also stressed three days ago that his father would remain the CM for a complete five-year tenure until 2028. But his Wednesday’s remarks in Belagavi essentially means Jarkiholi, 63, who is considered to be in the Siddaramaiah camp, is being presented as the alternative for succession whenever it takes place.