Chorus for Dalit Chief Minister Gains Momentum in Karnataka, Congress MLA Supports Satish Jarkiholi

Chikkamagaluru: Amid rising calls for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka, Chikkamagaluru Congress MLA H.D. Thammaiah voiced his strong support for Satish Jarkiholi, Karnataka's Public Works Minister, as the state's next leader. During an event in Tarikere Taluk, Thammaiah praised Jarkiholi and talked about his simplicity.

At the event, which drew attention to the growing support for the Dalit Chief Minister's demand, Thammaiah made a strong case for Jarkiholi to succeed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "Apart from Siddaramaiah, the future leader of the state is Satish Jarkiholi. There is no one as simple and gentleman as him," Thammaiah stated.

He added that Jarkiholi's leadership would be invaluable for both the state and the Congress party, signalling that the seasoned leader has the qualities to take over the reins in Karnataka.

Thammaiah's remarks come at a time when discussions around elevating a Dalit leader to the Chief Minister's post have gained momentum in Karnataka, with Jarkiholi emerging as a key contender. This public endorsement is expected to fuel further debates within the Congress party on its leadership in the state. 

'Internal Rift Within Congress '

Meanwhile, an internal rift reportedly escalated within the Karnataka Congress with intense lobbying for the Chief Minister’s position taking a center stage.

Last week, sources familiar with the matter told Republic Kannada that Satish Jarkiholi, a close aide of CM Siddaramaiah and Minister for Public Works,  rushed to Delhi for an urgent meeting with the Congress high command, heightening speculations about an impending power tussle.

It had also come to light that Siddaramaiah sent Jarkiholi to Delhi, possibly to strengthen his position within the party as the battle for leadership intensified.

Siddaramaiah, on the other hand, is said to have urged the party high command to consider the views of the MLAs in making decisions about leadership, indicating that the power struggle may not be easily resolved.  

'Won't Resign'

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had also reiterated that he would not resign from his position based on the ‘false accusations’ of the opposition parties. He said he would present the actual position before the people of the state.

“If the opposition parties demand (my) resignation based on false accusations, should I resign? We will reply to the false charges. We will tell the truth to the people,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Reacting to a query on hectic political activities within Congress where Dalit and scheduled tribe leaders were meeting after the MUDA site allotment case came to light, Siddaramaiah said people are speculating unnecessarily.

There is mounting pressure from the opposition parties on Siddaramaiah to resign from his post after a special court ordered the Lokayukta police on September 25 to investigate him in the MUDA site allotment case.