Bengaluru, 26 Feb

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday distanced himself from slogans raised by his supporters in Tumakuru, projecting him as the next Chief Minister, and asserted that he would not fuel speculation or lobby for the post as any decision rests with the party high command.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said he had no role in the slogans raised by his followers and reiterated that leadership decisions would be taken at the appropriate time by the party leadership.

“I am not prepared to create any more confusion,” he said, adding that “our High Command will take a decision at the appropriate time.”

Responding to questions about alleged lobbying by party workers and supporters, he said, “I am not going to do any lobbying. Didn’t you hear what I said yesterday? Someone asked me whether I was going to Delhi. I did not go to Delhi. That’s it.”

The minister also said such decisions are left to the Congress high command.

He maintained that while well-wishers may express their feelings, he had discouraged them from doing so.

“Our well-wishers here may be expressing their feelings. How can I tell them not to do that? I have told them not to do it… but in all this, as I said, I am not going to join or encourage this confusion,” he said.

Regarding missing children cases, the Home Minister said the government was taking it seriously.

He also said that instructions had been issued to trace foreigners overstaying their visas.

He also referred to ongoing verification drives in Bengaluru to identify illegal stay and scrutinise identity documents.

Reiterating that recruitment to vacant government posts would continue in a phased manner, Parameshwara said discussions would be held on employment generation and other administrative matters.