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The leaked video reportedly features three-time Congress MLA BR Patil speaking over the phone about Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his rise to power
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (Image: PTI/File)
After having put a resolute end to the speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, the focus was back on the Congress as a leaked video of a party MLA from the state emerged on social media.
While News18 could not gain access to the video, a report published by NDTV said the video features three-time Congress MLA BR Patil speaking over the phone about Siddaramaiah and his rise to power.
In the video, Patil reportedly mentions Randeep Singh Surjewala – Congress general secretary incharge of Karnataka – whom the high command has sent to the state for crisis management.
The video, however, emerged hours after Surjewala ruled out gathering any opinion on leadership change. He said he has been meeting the MLAs and MPs to understand the work done by them in their constituencies.
Patil’s video, said to be from Krishnaraja Pete in Mandya, has sparked a massive row. “Siddaramaiah hit a lottery. I was the one who introduced him to Sonia Gandhi. His fortunes were good and he became the Chief Minister. I have no Godfather or God. I met (Randeep Singh) Surjewala and said everything I had to. They heard me out with patience, let’s see what happens,” he is quoted as saying by NDTV.
Earlier, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said confirmed there will be no leadership change in the state, hinting at a climbdown from his side in the power-sharing tussle with Siddaramaiah, talks of which have done the rounds for a prolonged period of time now.
Every time the state Congress shows signs of another internal fight between the two leaders, the Congress high command steps in to manage the situation — both senior leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge have, in the past, asked them to cool down so as to project a united front.
This time, Surjewala was sent to the rescue. But, Shivakumar, with his conciliatory statement, seems to have backed off more or less — at least for now. In strong remarks, he stressed there is no need for anyone to fear him and he does not want anyone to support him.
“Nobody needs to fear…There is no talk of any leadership change. There is nothing else. For me, 2028 is important. It’s our government’s duty to stand by the common man…there is no leadership change, I don’t want anyone to support me,” he said, adding that he will issue a notice to MLA HA Iqbal Hussain, who apparently triggered a fresh speculation in the first place by claiming that Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become CM in two to three months.
Flanked by Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, Surjewala said he had a meeting with the party MLAs, MPs, MLCs and party candidates who contested the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
“Some of you asked me if I am taking an opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today – the answer is clearly ‘no’ in one word,” Surjewala said during a press conference.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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