BENGALURU
Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday said that there is time until the end of the month to take a decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle, amid continuing uncertainty within the state Congress over power-sharing and ministerial expansion.
Speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said the party high command is expected to resolve the matter soon, but only after addressing other organisational issues, including developments in Kerala. “There is time till the end of this month to decide on the cabinet reshuffle. First, the Kerala Chief Minister issue should be settled. We need to wait a few more days,” he said.
He added that internal friction within the party should be resolved and that cabinet expansion remains a long-pending demand. “We need to see what the high command will do. But Kerala should be finished first. There is confusion there too, there are aspirants. The high command will sort everything out,” he said.
Jarkiholi noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may travel to Delhi once the Kerala-related discussions are completed. He reiterated that the party’s central leadership will take the final call. “Our demand is that confusion and conflict should stop. Almost all leaders have said the same,” he said.
Responding to criticism over delays, he said such processes are not unusual in national parties. “The high command is not weak. Even BJP has taken time in such situations. We too have delayed the election of the Chief Minister earlier,” he said.
On organisational matters, he referred to ongoing preparations for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections and said work is progressing, including administrative procedures and census-related activities. He also mentioned that a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking clarity on election timing after the monsoon season.
On national issues, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public appeals, Jarkiholi said decisions ultimately rest with the people and not political leaders.