Bengaluru, May 21 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, on Wednesday dismissed speculation over the alleged leadership tussle in the ruling Congress and asserted that any decision regarding the Chief Minister’s post would be taken only by the party high command and asked who had raised the question regarding a change in leadership.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, while responding to questions on his earlier claim to the Chief Minister’s post on the grounds of being the senior-most leader, Parameshwara said he was not remaining silent on the issue but did not believe in making public statements on the matter.

“I am not silent. Do you want me to make statements everywhere on this issue? In the party, there is a high command and it will decide how things should take shape at the appropriate time,” he said.

“By issuing statements through the media, I cannot become anyone in the party. The high command will decide. Whether there is a proposal to change the Chief Minister or continue him, discussing it here will not change anything. The final decision will be taken by the high command,” he added.

Parameshwara also stated that he was not aware of any fixed tenure for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when he was chosen for the post after the Congress came to power in Karnataka.

“As far as I know, no tenure was fixed for Siddaramaiah when he was made the Chief Minister. No one from the high command or the party general secretaries informed us about it,” he said.

When asked about demands for clarity from the Congress high command over the leadership issue, Parameshwara questioned the very basis of the speculation.

“If there is a question, they will clarify. When there is no such question, why should they issue a clarification? Who has raised the question regarding a change in leadership? Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has already clarified that he has not sought any change in leadership,” he said.

Asked about Congress MLA and former minister K.N. Rajanna stating that Parameshwara should become Chief Minister if there is a leadership change, the Home Minister said Rajanna’s comments came from goodwill.

“We belong to the same district and studied together. Naturally, there will be goodwill. He may have felt that if there is an opportunity, representation should be given to Tumakuru district. What is wrong in that?” he asked.

Parameshwara also defended his suggestion to link Tumakuru city with Bengaluru for investment promotion, clarifying that he was not proposing a change in the identity of Tumakuru district.

“My suggestion should be understood in the right perspective. I am not changing the name of the district. Who am I to change the identity of the region? Considering Tumakuru city’s proximity to Bengaluru, linking Bengaluru’s name with Tumakuru city would help attract investments,” he explained.

“How can I change the name of Tumakuru? The BJP is criticising me unnecessarily. They do not understand the concept itself. I am emotionally attached to the region because I was born and brought up there. Nothing about Tumakuru’s identity will change,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with urban development models elsewhere, Parameshwara said neighbouring cities are often integrated for economic growth while retaining their distinct identity.

“For example, Noida is part of the Delhi region, but it has retained its own identity. In other countries too, neighbouring cities are linked to ensure development,” he said.

Accusing the BJP of opposing development initiatives, Parameshwara said Tumakuru should benefit from its proximity to Bengaluru and emerge as a major industrial and educational hub.

“We are located very close to Bengaluru. An industrial hub is being developed across 20,000 acres and two phases have already been completed. It is being described as Asia’s largest industrial hub. We have allotted land for a Japanese township, and major companies have come there. Food parks have also been established,” he said.

“We need growth and cannot maintain the status quo. Tumakuru has lakhs of students, nine engineering colleges and three medical colleges. They need opportunities. I want to tell my BJP friends that they should think in the larger interest of the region,” Parameshwara added.

–IANS

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