HUBBALLI: Barely 24 hours after AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is party in charge of the state, urged Congress members to refrain from publicly discussing leadership matters, the issue continues to rumble with excise minister RB Timmapur Tuesday insisting that he too was fit to become CM.
Timmapur, a Dalit, questioned why someone from his community couldn’t hold the top post in the state. “Why shouldn’t Dalits make it to the post of CM? Why shouldn’t I become the chief minister? Who will object if I become the CM?” he asked reporters in Hubballi.
Timmapur said that while he “wasn’t sure” if the Congress Legislature Party would approve his name, he would follow the high command’s decision. “Many factors will be taken into consideration. But if the high command decides, I will become the CM,” he said.
He insisted that the party has not cancelled the dinner meeting convened by home minister G Parameshwara, also a Dalit. “We have only postponed the meeting of Dalit functionaries. The woes of Dalits need to be heard. I have spoken about the sacrifice… The high command will decide on a change of CM,” he said, but added that he wasn’t aware of any plans to change the CM or a rotational deal on the issue.
On statewide demonstrations proposed by BJP to protest the cow attack incident in Chamarajpet in Bengaluru, Timmapur said: “Did BJP protest when Dalit’s were murdered? The culprits who mutilated cows should be dealt with. Such incidents should not be politicised. People will teach BJP a lesson if they do not keep away from petty politics.”
Former minister SR Patil also weighed in, expressing support for a member from North Karnataka to take over the CM’s post. “Every MLA aspires to become the CM. No one is a sage. It is natural to demand the coveted post,” he said, adding that the high command would ultimately decide the matter.
Meanwhile, BJP criticised the infighting, calling Congress a “divided house”. “The fight is now over the CM’s chair,” R Ashoka, opposition leader, said. BJP state president BY Vijayendra added, “More than eight Congress functionaries are waiting to become CM. The infighting will soon spill onto the streets.”
