Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday acknowledged that he had wanted to become Chief Minister but said he has accepted the Congress high command’s decision to appoint D.K. Shivakumar to the post. His remarks came after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah indicated that he had proposed Parameshwara’s name for the top position during discussions with the party leadership. Parameshwara stressed that the party’s decision had to be respected and would not affect cooperation within the government.

Responding to questions about whether his name had been considered for Chief Minister, Parameshwara confirmed that Siddaramaiah had conveyed the proposal to the Congress leadership. He said that while he had also wanted to become Chief Minister, the decision ultimately rested with the party high command. Parameshwara added that now that Shivakumar has been appointed Chief Minister, party leaders must work together and strengthen his leadership.

Parameshwara also emphasised that the Congress government must focus on implementing the programmes and promises made to voters. He said the government has to fulfil its mandate before returning to the people and reiterated his commitment to working with the Chief Minister. According to Parameshwara, accepting the high command’s decisions and cooperating with Shivakumar would also help strengthen the Congress party in the state.

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The remarks come amid renewed political discussion following Siddaramaiah’s comments about the decision to appoint Parameshwara as the sole Deputy Chief Minister. Speaking at a seminar on internal reservation on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah referred to an earlier proposal to create four to five Deputy Chief Minister posts and highlighted the decision to have Parameshwara as the lone Deputy Chief Minister. A video of the interaction circulated on social media on Wednesday.

During the interaction, an audience member raised the issue of the absence of a Scheduled Caste Chief Minister in Karnataka and urged Siddaramaiah to lead an agitation. Siddaramaiah responded that such a movement could not be undertaken by him alone. When the audience credited him with ensuring Parameshwara’s appointment as Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah recalled the discussions surrounding the number of Deputy Chief Ministers and his role in the decision.

Parameshwara is one of Karnataka Congress’s prominent Dalit leaders and has previously expressed disappointment over not being chosen as Chief Minister. His latest comments, however, indicate that he has decided to accept the party leadership’s decision and work with Shivakumar. The development comes as discussions over leadership, social representation and internal dynamics continue within the Karnataka Congress.

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