Bengaluru, 29 June

KPCC President DK Shivakumar on Saturday warned that notices will be issued and disciplinary action will be taken against party members publicly speaking about the change of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in State.

“Discipline is paramount for the party. We have worked hard to bring the party to power. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, (Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah and I held a meeting in Delhi and decided that everyone has to work for the party. Ministers, MLAs and seers should not speak about party matters,” the Deputy Chief Minister said here. Shivakumar said there were no discussions with the High Command regarding the change of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

Vokkaliga seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math on Thursday had publicly urged Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for his deputy Shivakumar. “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 make a suitable decision. Let’s put an end to these things.”

Shivakumar said he had a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with all the MPs from Karnataka. “In the 2-hour meeting, we discussed the progress of the State, pending projects and justice in the devolution of taxes for Karnataka,” he said.

“We also called on Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari and discussed bottlenecks for 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.”  -Salar News