The All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, has also rubbished rumors of a change in the leadership of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
Speaking at the Sambra Airport in Belagavi, Surjewala denied the allegations that he would succeed KPCC President DK Shivakumar, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
“If the KPCC President is changed, why will he come here?” Surjewala asked.
On reports that the AICC had issued a notice to Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi after he suggested that a leader who is fully committed to the affairs of the organization was needed, Surjewala said, “I don’t know who is spreading these baseless rumours. There is no reason to issue a notice to any minister or person.”
He accused the BJP of spreading baseless claims to discredit the Congress government.
Soon after suggesting that a decision be taken on the post of KPCC President, Jarkiholi clarified that his comments had been misrepresented by the media and were not meant to suggest Shivakumar’s entry.
Facing the backlash, Jarkiholi issued a video statement denying any intention to challenge Shivakumar’s leadership. “I never talked about removing DK Shivakumar as KPCC President. My comments were suggestions to strengthen the party before the elections,” Jarkiholi clarified, accusing the media of manipulating his words.
This is not the first time Surjewala has addressed this issue. On January 13, he rubbished similar rumors and accused the opposition of trying to divert attention from the Congress government’s plans. “Instead of questioning the fragmented BJP about its internal conflicts, a select group of news channels are targeting a united Congress government that is delivering on its promises,” he said.
The Congress party has remained united amid the allegations, with Surjewala reiterating that the rumors are baseless and are being orchestrated by political opponents to undermine the party’s stability and rule in Karnataka.