Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Wednesday that former chief minister Siddaramaiah had backed his candidature for Karnataka chief minister’s post. Parameshwara was reacting to Siddaramaiah’s st…

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Wednesday that former chief minister Siddaramaiah had backed his candidature for Karnataka chief minister’s post. Parameshwara was reacting to Siddaramaiah’s statement on Tuesday that it was he who ensured the Koratagere MLA’s appointment as the lone deputy chief minister. ‘Don’t head govt now but I’m still pro quota & social justice’: Siddaramaiah”It’s true that Siddaramaiah wanted me to become the CM. At the time of his resignation, he told us that he had pitched my name. But the high command did not consider it,” Parameshwara, a Dalit, said. “There were demands to have more deputy CMs. But Siddaramaiah said I should be the lone deputy CM. So, what he said is true”. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi (ST) and Industries Minister M B Patil (Lingayat) were tipped to become deputy CMs. It turns out that Siddaramaiah blocked their appointments.  Siddaramaiah’s statement reignited the debate on having more deputy CMs. It is said that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar may broach this topic with the Congress high command, keeping the 2028 Assembly polls in mind.

Source: Deccan Herald