Demands Increase As Congress Drama on CM Pick Continues

The race for the post of Karnataka chief minister is going down to the wire. While many thought that the name would be out today, there has been a twist in the tale with new names emerging.

Dr. G Parameshwar, a senior leader, who was in contention for the post in 2013 has thrown his hat into the ring and said that he could muster up the support of 50 MLAs. This is however not the first he has staked such a claim. Even during the elections, Paramehwar had said that he is ready to take the top pos.

Sources tell OneIndia that it is highly unlikely that Parameshwar may be a consensus candidate. In all probability the final agreement between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar may end up in term-sharing the source added.

Parameshwar is a Dalit leader and has been the longest serving state Congress president between 2010 and 2018. He has been considered for the post before, but owing to his election loss in 2013, he lost out on becoming the chief minister.

He had lost his traditional Korategere seat to the Janata Dal Secular's P R Sudhakara Lal. He was then elected to the upper house and made a minister.

"The high command knows my contributions, I worked as KPCC president for eight years and brought the party to power, and I have worked as the deputy CM. That I am not lobbying that does not mean I am not capable," Parameshwar said.

There are other demands too within the Congress. Belgavi North lawmaker Asif Sait has demanded that Congress working president, Satish Kariholi be made the CM. Owing to the impressive performance by the Congress in the north Karnataka region, these demands are being made. "Satish Jarkiholi is our leader in north Karnataka. He should be given the CM post, while Zameer Ahmed should be made deputy CM. We have written a letter to the high command. If the party does not respond, then there would be resistance," Sait said.

Another demand that is being made is that Ramlinga Reddy, a seven time MLA be made the deputy CM.

The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, which represents a section of the Lingayats, the most prominent community has also written to the high command demanding that a leader from their community be made the chief minister.

"The community has also played a major role in electing MLAs in other 50 seats. The community has shifted its loyalty from the BJP to Congress," the letter read.