Will face next elections under CM, affirms Home Minister

 Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday reaffirmed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement that the latter would lead the Congress party in the next Assembly elections.

Parameshwara told media, “The party is fully confident of retaining power, with 124 MLAs already in the fold.” He clarified that whenever there is election, there will be mass leadership and one should head the bunch of leaders.

“While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is the leader by virtue of being head of the government, I am also at the helm as sitting president of the KPCC. When this is the set-up, can we bring anybody from outside to head the clan?” he said. Parameshwara refused to attach any significance to Siddaramaiah’s meeting with senior leader M H Ambareesh.

Calling the process of selecting candidates for the coming elections an internal issue of the party, Parameshwara said, “Observers will visit every constituency and discussions will be held with local leaders, before selecting the candidate. The executive committee will decide on giving tickets to sitting MLAs. Till then, one should not make claims on contesting polls and getting tickets.”

On the revamp of the Cabinet, he said, “It is the prerogative of the chief minister, who holds the right to drop anybody (including me) or induct anybody. I was not part of any such parleys. The chief minister will discuss with seniors in the party before the revamping.” On the Datta Peetha row, he said the Cabinet sub-committee formed after the Supreme Court’s order to the state to find an amicable solution was expected to make its recommendations soon.