Hubballi: Even as speculations are doing the rounds on change of leadership in the State, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Advisor and senior Congress MLA B.R. Patil has expressed apprehension on Siddaramaiah continuing in office for full five years.

Speaking to press persons in Hubballi on Friday, B.R. Patil said, it is the wish of every Congressman that Siddaramaiah continues as the CM for full 5 years. But it is uncertain whether he would complete his term, he said adding that he cannot say anything on the Party High Command’s decision.

Asserting that the High Command may assign a higher responsibility to Siddaramaiah, he however, said no Congress MLA wants a change of leadership as the CM is doing a wonderful job for the welfare of the poor.

He further said that the CM has made necessary budgetary allocation for implementation of Guarantee Schemes and there need not be any apprehensions about funding. There is no question of stopping the Guarantees as it has been a lot of help for the poor, he added.

No Cabinet expansion or reshuffle

With speculations going on the possibility of a Cabinet expansion or reshuffle, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy D.K. Shivakumar have categorically said that neither there would be a Cabinet expansion nor a reshuffle for now.

Speaking to press persons separately after meeting AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in the National Capital on Friday, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar said it is the media which has created the speculations.

Asserting that no talks were held either on Cabinet expansion or reshuffle, they said,       however, it is almost certain that former Minister B. Nagendra who quit over Valmiki Development Corporation scam, will be re-inducted into the Cabinet,  but not for now. 

Hassan rally

Commenting on the Dec.5 mega Hassan rally (Swabhimani Samavesha), Siddaramaiah clarified that the rally is being organised jointly by the Congress party and Backward Classes organisations.

He said that, he had no knowledge about an anonymous letter written to the Congress High Command objecting to the rally.