Bengaluru, 28 Oct

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said when Siddaramaiah was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) after the 2023 Assembly polls to become the Chief Minister, no timeframe was specified for his tenure.

“We were not told then that Siddaramaiah would be Chief Minister for only 2.5 years," Parameshwara told reporters after meeting State Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa at his residence.

He urged the Congress High Command to put an end to the rumours of a rotational Chief Minister.

Amid speculation about the nature of their meeting, the Parameshwara and Mahadevappa clarified that it had "nothing to do with politics" but was to discuss funds for a cooperative in Tumakuru led by the Home Minister.

“In our view, we chose Siddaramaiah to be the CM for five years. If the High Command decides otherwise, we will accept it—that is all we can do. We had not fixed any time frame while choosing the CLP leader; if the high command decides anything else, it is up to them," Parameshwara said.

Asked about Siddaramaiah's recent comment indicating he may contest the 2028 Assembly polls, Parameshwara said, "That is his (personal) decision. He said yesterday that some leaders are pressuring him to contest, and that he will decide later.