No truth to reports of CM replacement: Karnataka minister

Bengaluru, May 6: Karnataka Social Welfare Minister Anjanaiah today rubbished reports that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah might be replaced without completing his term.

"Siddaramaiah will continue to be the Chief Minister for next two years. He will complete his chief ministerial term... There is no doubt about it," he told reporters here.

Names of senior Congress leaders, including former Union minister Mallikarjun Kharge, for replacing Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister have been doing the rounds in the media. Anjanaiah said there is no "revolt" or "discontentment" against Siddaramaiah's performance as chief minister by any Congress leader, including MPs and MLAs.

On reports of Home Minister G Parameshwara being considered a Dalit leader to replace Siddaramaiah, he said there was a chance for a Dalit CM in 2008 when Kharge was Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, but it did not materalise as the party did not get majority in the state election.

"In 2008, there was a chance for a Dalit leader to assume charge as chief minister when Kharge was KPCC chief. But the party did not get majority in the election and thus the state missed an opportunity to see a Dalit leader assuming charge as chief minister," he said.

PTI