Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday defended Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent comments on being
overlooked for the CM’s post in 1999, saying there was nothing wrong in a senior leader expressing his emotions.
He, however, remarked that one should not express his/her sentiments in public.
“What is wrong if Mallikarjun Kharge expresses his feelings? He is a senior leader who has worked tirelessly for the Congress. He only conveyed his emotions. There is absolutely nothing wrong in that,” Shivakumar told reporters here.
“One must express his/her feelings, but not in public,” he noted.
Kharge’s remarks, made at an event in Vijayapura on Sunday, have sparked a fresh debate within the party on leadership and the long-standing demand for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka.
Recalling his role in the 1999 Assembly elections, Kharge said, “As CLP leader I tried to bring the party to power (ahead of 1999 polls). The party formed the government and S M Krishna became the Chief Minister.
He had come (as KPCC President) four months ahead (of polls)....all my service was washed down the river. I feel that – I toiled for five years, but the person who came four months ago was made the CM....”
He further said, “What I’m trying to say is, we face difficulty, but we must continue to work without greediness in mind. If you are greedy, you won’t get anything. Also you won’t be able to do what’s in your mind..... passing through all these things, from being a block president, I have now become AICC President today. I did not go behind the posts,” he said.
Shivakumar’s remarks came amid growing buzz in political circles triggered by Kharge’s reflection, as well as recent statements from Congress leaders like Jagalur MLA B Devendrappa and Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa, who said Kharge had all the qualities to occupy any constitutional post and that the party would take a call when time comes.