Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political succession is in the limelight once again as his son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, has now openly nominated minister Satish Jarkiholi for the role of being his father’s successor of Karnataka’s Congress government leadership.
While speaking at a function in Belagavi on October 21, Yathindra declared, " My father is now in the final phase of his political life, at the end stage of his political career. At such a time, we need a leader who can guide those who hold rational and progressive ideologies and take charge of the leadership. Mr Jarkiholi will take on that responsibility. I believe that he will lead us as a model for all politicians and young leaders who believe in the ideology of the Congress party. Therefore, it is very difficult to find a leader with such integrity and principle. I request that Mr Jarkiholi continue the work he is doing." Yathindra, member of the upper house of the Karnataka legislature at an event in Belagavi on October 21 also said that Jarkiholi, should be mentored by Siddaramaiah, Public TV and other outlets reported.
Jarkiholi rises as Shivakumar alternative
Satish Jarkiholi, aged 63, is the current minister in the Public Works Department of the Karnataka government. The backing places him as a viable replacement to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Siddaramaiah to finish full term
This follows the ongoing intrigue surrounding the Congress leadership in Karnataka. Earlier, Yathindra emphasized that Siddaramaiah, 77, will complete a full five-year term till 2028. Siddaramaiah asserted, “I will be the chief minister for a full five-year term." Yathindra again made it clear in Tumkur, saying, "There is talk that there will be a change of CM after the Bihar elections. All that is false. If there is any change, the decision will be taken by the party high command and the MLAs. I am confident that Siddaramaiah will complete five years.”
While this has been going on, Shivakumar himself has stuck to his public stance that he is not in any hurry to be chief minister. The recent buzz gained strength after Congress MP LR Shivarame Gowda said, "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."
As Yathindra came out in support of Jarkiholi as a possible successor, the Karnataka succession story has been given a new turn, keeping party insiders and political observers on their toes.
