A day after his inconclusive meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the issue of appointing heads to boards and corporations in the State, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara indicated clearly that he had not given up on his demand to be made Deputy Chief Minister.
In an exclusive interview to The Hindu , Dr. Parameshwara said, “I do not think my elevation as the Deputy Chief Minister will create an alternative power centre in the State.”
He further added that he would not accept any other position in the Cabinet.
‘Automatic choice’Apart from making his demand public, Dr. Parameshwara also argued that conventionally, the person who heads the party in the State is the automatic choice for the post of Chief Minister.
He said his chances of becoming the Chief Minister would “definitely” have become easier had he won the previous elections from Koratagere Assembly constituency.
While Dr. Parameshwara reiterated that he would not allow differences over the issue of his post in the Cabinet to harm the reputation of the party or destabilise it, he added that the final decision is for the high command to take.
He said there were no differences between Mr. Siddaramaiah and him.
No differences over listOn the discussions with the Chief Minister over the list for appointments and nominations to boards and corporations, he said he had to carefully consider the names of senior party leaders and workers from all districts.
He added that his list also included the names of youth Congress workers, candidates defeated in the Assembly elections, women and some new faces as well.
“May be, the Chief Minister, who had not come to the meeting with any list on Monday, also has some names that are in my list,” he observed.
