No change in KPCC leadership, clarifies Shivakumar

Bengaluru

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday made it clear that he will continue as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and there is no discussion about replacing him.

“No changes. Some office bearers will be added, and some District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents will be replaced. Beyond that, no one has spoken to me about any such matter,” he said when asked about a possible reshuffle during the AICC meeting in Ahmedabad. Shivakumar is currently serving an extended term as KPCC president.

Some Congress leaders have demanded a new state president, citing the party’s "one man, one post" policy, saying Shivakumar should focus on his Deputy CM duties.

On four vacant MLC seats, Shivakumar said AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala would visit on April 17 to discuss it. “I’m always in favour of party workers, including for nomination quotas. I firmly believe that eligible party workers should be given a chance,” he added.

When asked about Basavaraj Rayareddi’s statement that Karnataka ranks top in corruption, Shivakumar replied, “He (Rayareddi) has clarified that he never made such a statement.”

Regarding the allegations against CM Siddaramaiah in a mining lease case, he said, “These are political accusations with no truth in them.”

He also denied any involvement in lobbying for an airport in Kanakapura. “Wherever it comes up in Karnataka, it’s the same for me,” he said.

On HD Kumaraswamy’s corruption claims, he responded, “I wish him all the best. Let him say when he wants the lorry—we’ll send it.”