Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today warned that notices will be issued and disciplinary action taken against those party men who publicly speak about change of CM and DCM in the State.
Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, “Any one issuing public statements on change of CM or DCM will face disciplinary action from the AICC and the KPCC. Discipline is paramount for the party. We have worked hard to bring party to power, no one shoot off their mouth on this issue. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah and I held a meeting in Delhi and decided that everyone has to work for the party. Ministers, MLAs, swamijis should not speak about party matters.”
Asked if there was a discussion with the High command on change of CM and DCM, he said, “There were no discussions with the High Command regarding this. The swamiji has spoken about it out of affection, but his blessings are sufficient for me. Please do not propose or endorse me for the CM’s post, the High Command will evaluate my performance and take a suitable decision. Let’s put an end to these things.”
Asked about some party men seeking additional DCMs, he said, “I don’t know about that. It would be better if everyone zips up their mouth,” he said.
Asked about swamijis interfering in politics, he said, “Swamijis usually don’t interfere, this is the first time he has spoken. My sincere request to all the swamijis is to leave politics for politicians.”
Asked about a discussion between the Chief Minister and Home Minister that the Swamiji’s statement was planned, he said he does not know about the conversation.
“We had a meeting with Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with all the MPs from Karnataka. In the 2-hour meeting, we discussed progress of the state, pending projects in the state and justice in devolution of taxes for the state,” he said.
“We also called on Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari and discussed bottlenecks for various national highway projects in the state. We will discuss these things with the MLAs and officials and clear the bottlenecks. In some places there is opposition from farmers. We will discuss these things with the Prime Minister in the evening.
