A fresh wave of tension has emerged within the ruling party as the Karnataka political leadership crisis spilled into the Cabinet meeting, with Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara openly expressing dissatisfaction over behind-the-scenes developments.
Sources reveal that Parameshwara directly questioned the Deputy Chief Minister’s recent moves, alleging that MLAs aligned with him were being mobilised without senior ministers’ knowledge.
He reportedly said, “Things are happening behind the scenes, and the media keeps questioning us. We are being forced to respond. This is also a matter concerning the Cabinet, isn’t it?”
Calls for Transparency and High Command Intervention
Parameshwara stressed the need for collective decision-making within the Cabinet, insisting that all senior ministers must be kept in the loop on leadership-related issues.
He also suggested that senior leaders should personally meet the party High Command to end the ongoing confusion.
Responding to this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed the Cabinet that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had already spoken to him.
“Kharge has asked us to bring four or five senior leaders to discuss the matter,” the CM conveyed during the meeting.
Shivakumar Downplays Concerns
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, however, dismissed the situation as non-serious.
He assured colleagues that he would lead the delegation to Delhi for discussions, signalling that there was no immediate cause for alarm.
Rifts Becoming Visible
The episode highlights the simmering unease within the ruling party, even as speculation grows about power equations and internal divisions.
The leadership issue, long whispered about behind closed doors, has now clearly reached the Cabinet table.