- 3 hours ago
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar will be travelling to the national capital following a summons from the Congress high command amid buzz over a Cabinet reshuffle and leadership change in the state.
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00:02good evening namaskara you're joining us for a special broadcast here on india today as we
00:08count down to the mega delhi hurdle that will take place tomorrow where finally we've reached
00:14the climax of the karnataka game of thrones i virtually brought myself to the karnataka
00:19vidan saouda why because in the next 24 hours we'll know whether there's going to be a change
00:24of guard or winds of constant as far as the karnataka congress goes will there be someone
00:30else seated in the power throne of karnataka or will it continue to be sidramaya this is the final
00:36chapter ladies and gentlemen we've seen this drag on for so many months now but tomorrow when sidramaya
00:41and dk shiv kumar meet with rahul gandhi and malikha jukarge in the national capital tomorrow
00:46that's when it's expected that a final decision will be taken by the high command on who their
00:53pick is if there's a cabinet reshuffle it's sidramaya if not that means the stage is being set
01:00for a change in chief minister we'll be tracking all the latest updates as we have for the last
01:05many months here on india today we'll have our reporters from bengaluru and delhi getting you
01:11all the updates over the next one hour i'm akshita nanda kopal here are the headlines
01:19fuel prices hiked once again petrol and diesel prices increased by over two rupees per liter fourth
01:26fuel price hike in 10 days government says no more fuel price cushion sources say government
01:31kept prices stable for 78 days
01:38supreme court warns against media trial in case warns against speculation narrative aid thwisha case and
01:45welcome cbi probe mother-in-law gets breather for the madhupradesh high court gets time to file reply
01:51to the cancel bail plea
01:58cm face natica it's top gear sources say dk is likely to fly to delhi tonight sidramaya also summoned
02:04to delhi both will meet rahul gandhi and karge in delhi tomorrow morning
02:15tamarnadu chief minister vijay chairs law and order meet meet with top officials amid crime spree
02:22in tamarnadu the coima to rape and murder case madurai hacking vijay tells cops to act swiftly and nab
02:33criminals
02:34aiadmk continues to grapple with internal feud three rebel mlas quit aiadmk and join dvk
02:41eps condemns chief minister vijay's party accuses them of introducing horse trading culture in tamarnadu
02:55u.s secretary of state marco rubio visits jaipur's iconic amir fort along with his wife
03:01he also visits the taj mahal in agra rubio's cultural sojourn a day before key quad meet in delhi
03:24and let's begin with breaking news that's coming in right now 11 a.m is when the meeting will take
03:29place with the congress high command both dk shif kumar and sidramaya will be in delhi
03:34for that meeting but before that sources say that a meeting on karnataka did take place about
03:40three days ago what's led to now malikha jung karge and rahul gandhi saying look let's call for this
03:47key huddle and let's finalize once and for all what our game plan is going to be here's the inside
03:52track three days ago uh there was a meeting between malikha jung karge between rahul gandhi
03:58and casey vienigopal this took place at karge's residence now sidramaya was reportedly aware of this
04:04meeting taking place but didn't know exactly what was the outcome but right after that meeting
04:09is where the communication went through from casey vienigopal who called and told sidramaya to fly down
04:15to delhi on tuesday following instructions from the congress president from malikha jung karge the chief
04:21minister was reportedly taken by surprise completely because he wasn't informed whatsoever about the
04:27agenda of the meeting even if you listen into what he said earlier today he said i have been summoned
04:31to
04:32delhi it's my duty to be there but i don't know what this is about so while there are claims
04:37that
04:37look this is about the rajasaba seats this is about mlc's why didn't the high command brief sidramaya
04:43then about the agenda so a lot of questions doing the rounds right now but here's what we're hearing
04:48that three days ago there was a meeting of the high command the top brass of congress and so it's
04:54clear that they've set their eyes on karnataka to iron out a number of issues the question is whether
04:59that also includes all of the speculation over whether there'll be a change of chief minister
05:04or not let me bring in sagaraj who's joining us live from bengaluru we also have moshmi singh
05:09joining us live from delhi sagai to you first what's taking place in bengaluru what's the buzz like
05:15sagai all the ministers we understand top ministers are all packing their bags going to delhi is that
05:21supposed to be a show of strength by one of the sides what's going on it was the most awaited
05:27meeting
05:27when it comes to karnataka because uh it is a never-ending hope of that uh when it comes to
05:32these kind of political developments in the state and we even we have reported time and again saying
05:36that it will happen now it will happen tomorrow and probably now it seems to be a problem because
05:41uh in the month of november when we reported that there's all possibilities there might be changed in
05:46the guard and that's when there was a breakfast meeting they put an end and uh the sources close to
05:51uh uh high command have clarified that probably the high command will take a decision once the five state
05:55elections caught over and the three days back there was a huddle between kc binu gopal uh sidra maya
06:01sorry uh aicc president malik arjun karge and rahul ghani three of them discussed about that and the
06:07chief minister was aware that this kind of meeting has happened but he was not informed about the
06:11outcome and the next day kc binu gopal was being instructed to call sidra maya to delhi and
06:17subsequently he made a call and he received a call and sidra maya was taken as a surprise that
06:21without even informing in the agenda he was been summoned to delhi and even if he knows this and
06:26join the dots together uh prasdip sujewala tried to do a damage control where he says that there is
06:32a rajasaba election and that is the reason uh sidra maya has been called to discuss about rajasaba
06:37election and there is no discussion on part of that when we ask the same question to sidra maya he
06:42says that he's been summoned but he's not aware about the subject can you imagine a stature of
06:48sidra maya who's the chief minister of karnataka he doesn't know what is the agenda of the meeting
06:53but still he'll be flying all the way to delhi where there'll be discussion those other leaders
07:00are clearing something doesn't add up from what you're telling us sagai that if this was a routine
07:06regular meeting to talk about rajasaba seats to talk about mlc's why hasn't sidra maya been given
07:13the brief of the meeting and bosh me this is where all of the speculation grows that look there is
07:19some discussion that could perhaps happen from the high command this has been a long time coming and i
07:24know that there's been a lot of people who've been crying wolf several times and it's never actually
07:29happened are we right in saying that come tomorrow there will be a conversation by the high command
07:34with sidra maya and dk shif kumar or whether there's going to be a change of guard or not
07:40akshita that's because we've seen in the entire castle lots of tourist centers when the reporters
07:49approach this entire subject we are very very skeptical and we approach it with a lot of caution
07:55but i must admit that sagai raj has got the right scent he's on the right scent here and uh
08:02i just
08:03spoken to a source uh who does confirm that that the leadership castle will be on the table uh tomorrow
08:12when the two leaders meet uh with the party high command there was uh there was uh an indication
08:20to dk shif kumar that the entire subject will be approached after the kerala elections and so the
08:27leadership uh change of guard uh would be discussed now there are three options that are rolling out
08:33as far as change of guard is concerned uh there could be the first option is a big cabinet reshuffle
08:40uh i'm told that could be on the cards if that's easier and can be done a big cabinet reshuffle
08:48where dk
08:48and other senior leaders also get a lot of say and the the non-performers are moved out we are
08:55in the
08:55community has given more focus but that is just the number one option the second option is dk shif kumar
09:02takes charge sidharamaya comes the raj sabha way and you have uh his his son incorporated in the minister
09:11in the government and uh and sidharamaya has given an important responsibility here in delhi now that
09:17option also is being looked at very closely because there is a there this is clear uh akshata that
09:24uh party high command thinks there is an essential need to reject and reboot the entire karnataka
09:31government ahead of the 2028 election but i'm throwing a wild card uh scenario which i am told is the
09:39possible option is that mr karge mr karge the congress president and uh i am told that his stamp
09:47and there have been times that mr karge said if mrs gandhi says he will go uh and take uh
09:54responsibility in karnataka if need be so i'm in closed doors that's still an option moshmi then
10:02that's still an option because that's one the karnataka cm chair has evaded mr karge there has
10:09been precedents where congress presidents have taken charge as chief ministers of a state there has been
10:15precedents in the past and mr karge perhaps uh could that's a wild card entry i'm saying and i'm
10:23i'm told that that could always be an option when i then dk shiv kumar and sidharamaya they don't come
10:29to a common ground because sidharamaya can be sent via the raj sabha uh dk shiv kumar uh of course
10:37mr karge's stature would uh would possibly agree to that scenario and and you would have a dalit
10:46chief minister first uh dalit chief minister in the current political landscape of india not the first
10:53but the only dalit cm that you will have uh across india from north to south no i agree with
11:00you you
11:00know he makes a perfect consensus candidate but let's be very clear as much as karge reportedly wants
11:06this because we've been hearing this for the last many months it will be a demotion for him
11:10here as the congress president is the aicc chief you've got all the congress chief ministers who
11:15at the back of one call from karge have to be there in delhi and so if he chooses to
11:20move from
11:20aicc president to chief minister let's be very clear that's a demotion but who knows maybe that's what he
11:25wants and maybe that's what the high command may actually decide on if they feel that there's no
11:30other way to broker peace between sidharamaya and dk shiv kumar let's be clear also that there's been
11:35no bad blood between the two leaders you see it constantly they've ensured that as their positions
11:40of chief minister and deputy chief minister they still kind of fulfill all their duties they attend
11:45events together and you've seen many times they've held their hands up in the air to send across a
11:50message of unity but what we're hearing from our sources is that while yes sidharamaya may be okay
11:56with handing over the mantle he says let it be someone from my camp not dk shiv kumar so all
12:01those
12:02pleasantries aside when it comes to really the power game there's still a few issues that need
12:07to be ironed out by the high command but sagai moshmi just stay with me let's cut across to more
12:11breaking news coming in
12:21dk suresh dk shiv kumar's brother his man friday has rushed to the national capital tomorrow is a meeting
12:27at 11 a.m dk shiv kumar sidharamaya with the congress high command but right now dk suresh has
12:35rushed to delhi even before the chief minister and deputy chief minister there have been huddles
12:41that we've been reporting on between dk shiv kumar and his brother and dk suresh what's in the works
12:46what is dk shiv kumar considering what is he planning you know at this point sagai as we discuss possible
12:53permutations and combinations of what will be the outcome of the meeting let's be very clear that
12:58for dk shiv kumar it's all or nothing he will want to be chief minister and then there's no pacifying
13:04him if he's not with some other portfolios he's not going to be okay with it
13:08if at all if he is looking for the portfolio then he would have taken up when the government
13:14karnataka congress government came into power in the street of karnataka because the options
13:18was given to him whatever the portfolio that he can take apart from finance and intelligence
13:23he is open to take that and he chose a begalura development and what the resource department
13:29he has the person who picked and chose those two high profile portfolio and subsequently now
13:35that is not an option left for him nothing less than a chief minister that dk shiv kumar will
13:41compromise and talking about malikajan karge akshita you need to keep in mind of 2028 election
13:47uh because the karnataka congress is going to fight an elephant in the room that is uh jds and
13:53bjp alliance in the state of karnataka and if you are fighting uh uh jds and bjp alliance you need
14:00a leader who can uh who can go ahead and give a tough fight to them whether it is muzzle
14:06money
14:06or even a party worker so you need you need a person who can get everybody together who can work
14:13along and bring back the power to party so there the high command will look at 2028 they will not
14:20look at the present situation for the party and if if we go by that indication of what saga has
14:26given
14:26us if they're looking at 2028 then it definitely looks like everything is stacked up in favor of gk
14:32shiv kumar why do i say that because sidrama has made it very clear that he's not going to contest
14:37another election and so if the congress wants to rally behind a leader who they believe is going
14:42to lead them into 2028 then you'd think that the odds are in favor of dk shiv kumar but we're
14:49going
14:49to hold on yes sagai go ahead am i right in saying that in 2013 after winning the election uh
14:57sidramaya
14:57said that that will be his last election but still contested in 2018 and in 2018 he said that will
15:04be
15:04his last election but still contested 2023 and in one of the regional channels uh uh interview
15:11sidramaya still says that the auctions are still open you need to discuss with the leaders and he
15:16wanted to bring back congress to power and maximum he's not he's not ready for retirement you know
15:22whenever he says i'm going to retire okay we'll take it to the bag of salt never retire politicians
15:28never retire i agree neither do journalists but sagai stay with me uh let's get a detailed report of
15:34all that's happened in the last 24 hours tomorrow 11 a.m is when the meeting will take place and
15:41as
15:41expected it's not a decision that will be taken in bengaluru it's a decision that will be taken in
15:46delhi chief minister sidramaya deputy chief minister dk shiv kumar have been waiting for this call and
15:51they finally received it from the high command saying come over let's have a conversation that meeting will
15:56happen at 11 a.m tomorrow and the question is will the congress go for a cabinet reshuffle if it's
16:02a
16:02capillary shuffle sidramaya isn't going anywhere he remains the chief minister or will there be
16:07complete cm switch will there be winds of change as far as the cm throne is concerned let's get you
16:14all of the reactions all that's happening in karnataka
16:29the karnataka power struggle is back in the spotlight
16:34ever since the kerala oath ceremony the simmering leadership tassel in karnataka has burst out in the
16:40open chief minister sidramaya and deputy cmd k shiv kumar after meeting the congress high command in
16:47tirwananda buram are now headed to delhi for another crucial round of talks with the party's top brass on
16:54tuesday both leaders insist they are unaware of the exact agenda but political circles are abuzz with
17:03speculation over a possible leadership change in karnataka
17:20you are meeting high command after long time many speculations are running around will it be a full stop for
17:30us
17:41joining the chief minister will be seven senior state congress leaders including home minister ji parmeshwara
17:47and senior minister mb patil the congress high command maintains complete silence over the purpose of the
17:54meeting the case of the karnataka
18:04although you're going to ask the question again but i can tell you rajya sabha elections have been notified
18:13council elections will be happening thereafter party continues to have consultations so please do not
18:20speculate i quash all other speculation the bjp has seized the opportunity to target the congress over the
18:28internal drussel i think last one year the very day news is between sidramaya and dk shikmar power sharing
18:40so i think congress party high command is a weak high command so up to now from last one years
18:50they are not decided who is the cm of karnataka
18:53karnataka people also don't know who is the cm once dk shik i will next cm sidramaya no i i
19:03will return another five years
19:05as the suspense builds in karnataka the big question remains will delhi clear the air with a leadership decision
19:12or will the congress once again kick the can down the road
19:18with sagai raj and masami singh bureau report india today
19:27so that's played out now in the last few hours where you've got statement after statement
19:32sidramaya saying i don't know what's the agenda randeep surjivala saying that no nothing about really
19:37the cm drama is going to play out each leader having their own version of what we're going to see
19:42come
19:42tomorrow in the national capital but if you were to break it down as to what could happen let's paint
19:48out
19:48some scenarios for you of the options right now before the high command here's a look at some of those
19:55let's
19:55focus first on uh scenario one which refers to a cabinet rejig 15 new faces are brought in if this
20:04actually happens the scenario one it means essentially that it's a win for sidramaya scenario
20:10two is the exact opposite that sidramaya is asked to step down and there you're setting the stage
20:15for dk shiv kumar to take over but in scenario one and let's take this point by point essentially with
20:2215 new faces being brought in non-performers will be dropped but at the same time you could see most
20:29sidramaya loyalists being plugged in because very clearly the high command has taken their pick but
20:34dk shiv kumar could be accommodated in some manner maybe given some weighty portfolio which there's no
20:40way he's going to be happy with considering he wants to be chief minister but that is the only way
20:45perhaps he could be placated if scenario one plays out and the congress high command decides that there's
20:51going to be no change in leadership scenario two like i said is if sidramaya steps down then very
20:57very clearly dk shiv kumar will take over as the chief minister there are essentially two scenarios yes
21:04there's some talk of you know maybe malik harjung karge is in the race as well but essentially it's
21:10between these two scenarios that the high command will look to pick and only if they're not able to
21:14figure it out between these two they'll look beyond let's cut across to more breaking news coming in
21:24satish jarki holy uh who is a minister in the karnataka government has in fact said and confirmed
21:30that uh at this point leaders have been called that chief minister sidramaya has been summoned
21:39according to him the process has started to go ahead and pick one leader by the high command but
21:47according to jarki holy and this is the first official comment that we're getting and confirmation
21:52that you're seeing essentially the process of the karnataka game of thrones kicking off means we've
21:57reached the climax or what we've seen in play also the last many many months
22:03Now, what happened?
22:04I was talking about CMH and CMA was lost.
22:10I tried the process of starting in starting a little bit.
22:14And I wasn't after a long time.
22:17I was at a time and I was supposed to get that.
22:19I didn't think I was going to take it.
22:20I was told to hire a much more.
22:28And I was right back.
22:29And now I got a report.
22:33Let me bring in now on this broadcast, Dr. K. Sudhakar, BJP Member of Parliament, former Karnataka Minister as well.
22:41Mr. Sudhakar, thank you for joining us here on India Today. Namaskara.
22:45A lot that's happening in your state, sir.
22:47It's not the first time that we've spoken of the possibility of a CM change.
22:51In the next 24 hours, we could see a decision.
22:54But either way, you look at it, Mr. Sudhakar, whoever's chosen, whether it's Sidramayi or D.K. Shirkumar,
22:59would you concede that the Congress, through the face of it, the Karnataka Congress,
23:03has at least remained one unit, that they've not been divided, there's been no rebellion, none of that?
23:12No, I totally differ from your view, because from the day one of this Congress government,
23:18only there is a rumor. Rumor and suspense is ruling this government, not the governance.
23:26This government is trapped between the public and the political pressure.
23:36It should have been the public, but there is only political governments that is going on in this government.
23:43There is two factions. You do not know, the bureaucracy do not know, rather,
23:50to whose direction, to whose direction they should obey, and how should be the process, what is the process.
23:59Everybody has confusion because of this chaotic political suspense that is going on from day one of this government.
24:09But Mr. Sudhakar, the reality is that in every government event, whether it's the chief minister or the deputy chief
24:16minister,
24:17they come together, irrespective of whatever is happening behind the scenes, sir.
24:20When you see these events happening, they're always together, almost sending across a message.
24:25Then when it comes to the state, we're not going to allow any, you know, differences on development or Karnataka
24:32to lag behind.
24:33You don't think so?
24:38Absolutely, no, madam. It is not a fact.
24:40It is just in front of the camera.
24:42They are together. They are holding hands.
24:45But there is continuously, they have established two different camps from day one,
24:54since this government is, you know, established in Karnataka.
24:58You can ask anybody.
25:00It is no more any secret or it is nothing like that.
25:04Everybody knows that this government is divided house between two rival camps.
25:11So, because of this, the capital investment is at, you know, it is really going to be a task.
25:23No investor, either an international investor or investor coming from India,
25:30would like to see any political insecurity.
25:34There is no stability.
25:35When there is no stable government, who would like to come and invest in any state?
25:41And what about the bureaucracy?
25:43The senior bureaucracy, they are in extreme confusion.
25:48They do not know whose orders they should obey.
25:51And they are very paranoid.
25:53What can happen tomorrow?
25:54What if there is a change of God?
25:57With this kind of an insecure and unstable situation,
26:02no government can perform.
26:05There is no governance.
26:06There is only political rumor and suspense.
26:11You tell me which minister can function freely when his own seat is at stake.
26:17Everybody is trying to protect this chair.
26:22You think that they perform better then?
26:24You think they perform better because they are so much at stake then, sir?
26:27They are going to Delhi time and again, time and again.
26:32They want to become ministers.
26:34And one of the senior members I just saw today in the newspaper,
26:38he has given a, he has given a timelines.
26:42It's become, it's, it's been three years.
26:45They have been assuring us and they are not, they are not reshuffled.
26:51And we are giving a complete, we are going to give a date,
26:56which is going to be after that, we will take our own decisions.
26:59This is what he has said.
27:01He has given a ultimatum to the Congress.
27:04This is how the Congress government is performing in Karnataka.
27:08No, but Mr. Sudhakar, you speak to the Congress.
27:10You please find out.
27:12You speak to the Congress, sir.
27:13They are saying that all of this is a figment of the BJP's imagination.
27:17Sir, that this is a figment of the BJP's imagination.
27:21It is totally divided house.
27:24I will not be surprised.
27:26I will not be surprised if they, and the state, before that,
27:31I would like to say the people of Karnataka,
27:34they are not worried who the chief minister is going to be.
27:39Whether Sidramaya, Hugh Kumar or anybody else.
27:43That is not for what Congress government was formed
27:47or why the people of Karnataka chose Congress party over BJP.
27:53They chose thinking that this government is going to do something
27:58very good in terms of development, creation of infrastructure,
28:03creating new jobs, women empowerment.
28:07Okay, Mr. Sudhakar, can you hear me?
28:12Guarantees, today it is in the eyes only,
28:18bearing only three, two or three guarantees.
28:21Even that, the delivery is not happening sincerely and regularly.
28:28You can find out, Mr. Sudhakar,
28:29it's been three or four months.
28:31The salary for the employees of Karnataka government,
28:34it's already more than two months that they have not got the salaries.
28:40No, Mr. Sudhakar, can you hear me?
28:42The bus and the transport department officials,
28:45the drivers, conductors, cleaners.
28:47Can you hear me, sir?
28:48They are all on a strike.
28:50Because it's been more than six to seven months
28:52that they have not got their salaries,
28:55the compensations.
28:57Okay, Mr. Sudhakar, one question to you, sir.
29:00One question.
29:01One question.
29:02One question, Mr. Sudhakar, if you can hear me.
29:06Yeah, one question, sir.
29:08Mr. Sidramaya, as a chief,
29:10this term has really not earned a good name at all
29:15in state of Karnataka.
29:16No, I don't think Mr. Sudhakar can hear me.
29:20If you can hear me, sir,
29:21I'm going to attempt to ask you that question
29:23about the Congress constantly saying
29:25that there's no fight whatsoever,
29:27that this is a figment of the BJP's imagination.
29:30If you can hear me, sir, your response to that.
29:40I don't think we have Mr. Sudhakar.
29:42Just give us a moment.
29:43I'm going to reconnect with him to get his reaction also.
29:46Because what we've seen right now
29:48is with the Congress fighting it out,
29:50internally or otherwise,
29:52over who will be the chief minister.
29:54You've handed over this issue on a platter to the BJP.
29:56Mr. Sudhakar, we lost your connection briefly there, sir.
29:59But my question to you was
30:00about the Congress constantly, you know,
30:04retorting to all of these allegations
30:05that, you know, there's no governance whatsoever.
30:08They're saying none of this is true.
30:10They're claiming that this entire CM fight narrative
30:13is a figment of the BJP's imagination, sir,
30:16that this is a narrative you've created.
30:25Yes?
30:28Hello?
30:28Can you hear me, sir?
30:32Okay, my apologies.
30:34Just give us a moment.
30:35We're going to connect with Mr. Sudhakar as well,
30:38once again, for his reaction.
30:39In the meanwhile,
30:40let's cut across to another exclusive here
30:43on India Today.
30:53Let's take this across to Dinesh Gundu Rao,
30:55Karnataka Health Minister,
30:57who's joining us here on India Today.
31:00Mr. Gundu Rao, thank you for your time.
31:01First of all, your reaction, sir,
31:03to the BJP criticism that,
31:05as a result of all of this back and forth
31:07and questions and speculation,
31:10ultimately, governance has taken a hit,
31:12has been crippled in Karnataka.
31:17See, governance has not been crippled.
31:19Karnataka is among the leading states in the country.
31:23We've got the highest FDI coming into the country.
31:28We are number two in GST in the country.
31:31So, you know,
31:32and in terms of per capita GDP,
31:35we are number one.
31:36In terms of FDI,
31:37we are number two.
31:38In terms of GST contribution to India,
31:41we are number two after Maharashtra.
31:43So, and so many programs in every department,
31:47there's been reforms in administration,
31:49transparency.
31:50So, this is just,
31:51you know, to divert attention,
31:53this is a very interesting topic.
31:54Oh, change of chief ministership,
31:56this, that.
31:56No, no, one second.
31:57That is what the media likes and loves.
31:59Sir, sir, sir, this is not,
32:00you know, something that the media has created,
32:02but from what you're telling me,
32:03then there's no change.
32:05There's going to be no change
32:06in the next 24 hours, yes?
32:08See, let me tell you one thing.
32:10Our chief minister has very clearly said
32:13that whatever the high command decides,
32:15he will go by it.
32:16Our deputy chief minister also said the same thing.
32:19Everybody has said the same thing.
32:21So, whenever the high command takes a decision
32:23on whatever the issue,
32:25everybody is willing to follow that and abide by it.
32:27So, when there's no such,
32:28when there's no confusion,
32:30I think there is our CM, DCM,
32:33and all leaders are doing programs together
32:35every day, every other day.
32:37Even yesterday, we were all together.
32:39Today also, they address the press conference jointly.
32:41So, there is no difference at all.
32:44And, you know, this is just something
32:47that I think media likes,
32:48and especially, we know that, you know,
32:51the media loves to highlight any issue
32:53that happens in non-BJP states
32:55because they have a, you know, mandate
32:58to highlight any problems that takes place
33:01in non-BJP states.
33:02No, no, no, come on, Mr. Gundu Raj,
33:03you know, let's be very clear
33:04that this is not something manufactured
33:07by the media, sir.
33:08So many times on record,
33:10DK Shivkumar has made his ambitions clear
33:12that he wants to be the Chief Minister.
33:14As you've pointed out,
33:15the high command will take the final call
33:17in the next 24 hours.
33:18We're having exactly that,
33:19a high command meet.
33:20So, this is not manufactured, sir.
33:24See, we have got strong leaders in Karnataka,
33:27very powerful leaders,
33:28and many of them who are capable
33:29of becoming Chief Ministers,
33:31apart from DK Shivkumar also.
33:32So, we have got a galaxy of leaders.
33:35If you look at the BJP,
33:36they are leaderless.
33:37They are all looking at Delhi,
33:38and Delhi has become so strong
33:40and centralized,
33:41that state leaders don't matter for anything.
33:44Whereas in Congress,
33:45you saw in Kerala,
33:46you know, the leadership,
33:47strong leaders are there.
33:48They took their time to decide
33:50in the Chief Ministership,
33:51and they decided.
33:51Even over here,
33:52our Chief Minister is saying,
33:54all our leaders are saying,
33:55that whatever high command decides,
33:56we will go by that.
33:57So, that's a clear statement.
33:59Nobody is saying that we will not land.
34:01Whatever is in the wisdom of high command,
34:03at whatever point of time,
34:04whenever they want to decide something,
34:06they will decide.
34:07So, I don't think there's any confusion.
34:09And we are all working together.
34:10Yes, there is something that,
34:12there needs to be a cabinet reshapal to happen.
34:15That is something that is being looked at.
34:17And certain other decisions regarding
34:19Raj Sabah and MLC have to be decided.
34:22So, I think there are many things on the plate,
34:24which high command will need to discuss
34:26with the CM and DCM.
34:28So, I think not just as one issue,
34:30there could be many issues.
34:31So, I think, you know,
34:34obviously, everyone is ambitious.
34:35Nothing wrong in being ambitious.
34:37Sure.
34:37No, but Mr. Gundu Rao also,
34:39you know, you referred to what happened in Kerala,
34:41where you had the Congress,
34:42high command taking a decision
34:43of VD Satishan and sticking by it.
34:45In this particular case,
34:46in Karnataka, sir,
34:47if, you know,
34:49all of the speculation has happened,
34:51why hasn't it been nipped in the bud?
34:52Why hasn't the high command just stepped in
34:54and said,
34:54look, if it's Sidra Maya,
34:56we are with Sidra Maya,
34:58we're not going to allow all this chatter to go on.
35:00Why have they allowed this to continue?
35:04See, I was in the Democratic Party.
35:07We're not scared.
35:09Nobody's voices are being muzzled.
35:11There are certain people
35:12who have got certain interests
35:13which they express.
35:14But let me tell you one thing.
35:16We've all been working together.
35:17Even the recent two by-elections,
35:19we won comfortably.
35:20Even before that,
35:21Mr. Kumar Swami's son
35:22lost in his by-election.
35:24And we've been winning
35:25all the by-elections so far in Karnataka.
35:27And, see,
35:29I think what is happening is
35:31the BJP has become such a hegemonic party
35:34that everybody wants
35:36the parties to behave like BJP.
35:38But we are not BJP.
35:39And we have got a democratic voice.
35:41People can express their opinions,
35:43express dissent,
35:44express their, you know,
35:45whatever feelings that they're having
35:47within a certain framework.
35:48And I think what we saw in Kerala
35:50was a typical example of that.
35:52And ultimately, you know,
35:54why should there be something that, you know,
35:56everything has to come from the top.
35:58The opinions are taken and decided.
36:00So, similar to Karnataka also,
36:02they will take a call
36:03whatever time,
36:04whether to continue,
36:05whether not to continue,
36:06whether to do a cabinet reshuffle.
36:08I think all those things are on the agenda.
36:10And they will take a final decision.
36:12So, I don't think we should be worried.
36:14And what BJP wants is
36:16that there's going to be some division
36:17in the Congress.
36:18There will be some dissidents
36:18in the Congress.
36:19But let me tell you one thing.
36:21There will be no dissidents.
36:22No, you know, diversions.
36:26From our goal.
36:27Our goal is to see that
36:28we do give a good government
36:30and ensure that
36:32what is happening in the country today
36:33under BJP,
36:34where everything is getting into,
36:36you know,
36:36consolidated into
36:37a single party rule today.
36:39That's what they want.
36:40Institutions are being,
36:41you know,
36:44they are being compromised.
36:46So, you know,
36:46there is a bigger fight
36:48that we have ahead.
36:49So, we are all aware of that.
36:50So, we will all go together.
36:51There's no problem about that.
36:53Mr. Gundara,
36:54let me give you
36:54a hypothetical situation.
36:56That the high command decides
36:58that, look, okay,
36:58let's give D.K. Shiv Kumar
37:00a chance now
37:00to be the chief minister.
37:02And so, there's a churn,
37:03essentially,
37:04in the Karnataka leadership.
37:06And the chief minister
37:07will be D.K. Shiv Kumar.
37:09Will you be okay
37:10as a Karnataka Congress leader
37:12with that change,
37:13with the CM change?
37:17See, let me tell you one thing.
37:19We've all said
37:20that whatever high command decides,
37:22we will go by that.
37:23So, I don't want to get into
37:24any hypothetical situations.
37:26We are all together
37:27and we will work together.
37:28That's all I can tell you.
37:30So, will there be finality, sir?
37:32In the next 24 hours,
37:34will we know for sure
37:35which way the high command is going?
37:38I think there's unnecessary speculation.
37:40I don't know what exactly
37:41they're going to be discussing.
37:42There is a Raj Sabah elections coming up.
37:44We have, out of four,
37:46we are in a position to win three here.
37:48So, that is a decision
37:49they have to make.
37:50MLCs, almost nine MLC candidates
37:52have to be decided.
37:53So, there are a lot of issues
37:54on the cabinet.
37:55Maybe even the cabinet reshuffle
37:57may be discussed.
37:58So, we do not know
37:59what is on the agenda.
38:00It's all speculative right now.
38:01So, let them go.
38:02Let them meet.
38:03Maybe tomorrow
38:04we'll come to know
38:04exactly what it is.
38:07Okay, I agree.
38:08Let them meet
38:08and then we'll know
38:09exactly what the high command
38:10is thinking.
38:11Thank you,
38:11Mr. Dinesh Kundu Rao
38:12for joining us here,
38:13for taking the time out
38:14and joining us here
38:15on India Today.
38:17Let me take this back across
38:18to Dr. K. Sudhakar
38:19who's back with us.
38:21Mr. Sudhakar, apologies.
38:22We lost your connection
38:23there earlier.
38:24I'm not sure
38:24how much of the conversation
38:25with Mr. Gundu Rao
38:26you managed to catch, sir,
38:28but I'd like your reaction
38:29on the fact
38:29that he's maintaining
38:30that all of this essentially
38:31is a figment
38:33of one's imagination,
38:34that there's no truth
38:35whatsoever
38:35to any leadership fight,
38:37any tussle
38:38for the CM chair.
38:43Yes, I overheard
38:45partly of what
38:46Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao
38:48just now spoke.
38:49First, I would like
38:50to give certain
38:52clarifications on
38:53you know,
38:54the by-elections
38:55that he was mentioning.
38:56It is no,
38:57it is no more
38:58a referendum
38:59of the governance
39:01or the government's
39:02the promises
39:04or the deliverables.
39:05like during our government
39:07we won almost
39:0914 by-elections
39:10but in the general elections
39:11we lost.
39:12That is not,
39:13that is no more
39:13a referendum.
39:14The by-elections
39:15whoever is in power
39:17they win
39:18usually
39:19because the people
39:20also think that
39:21if the government
39:22is there in power
39:24and we may get
39:24some kind of development
39:26and of course
39:26the use of
39:27the abuse
39:28use of
39:29the muzzle
39:30and money
39:31and so
39:31what not
39:32they used
39:33and they won it.
39:34So, secondly
39:36Karnataka's
39:37FDI investment
39:38he was talking about
39:39it is not an achievement
39:40of this government.
39:42Our learned friend
39:43should understand
39:44Karnataka
39:45is the capital
39:47India's capital
39:48for technology
39:49and investment
39:50and in this scenario
39:52how can the investment
39:54come in
39:55when there is
39:56a political uncertainty
39:58when there is
39:59No, but he is saying
40:00there is no
40:00political uncertainty
40:01sir
40:01that Sidramaya
40:02is the chief minister
40:03that all of this
40:04is just manufactured
40:05Of course there is
40:06of course there is
40:07from
40:08it is not manufactured
40:10they are blaming
40:12only media
40:13do you think
40:13media is only
40:14manufacturing
40:15these facts
40:16no
40:17they are not
40:18they are not
40:20only publicizing
40:21any rumors
40:21based on
40:23evidential
40:25reports
40:25that the media
40:26is trying
40:27to
40:29tell the public
40:30from day one
40:31when the
40:32learned deputy
40:33chief minister
40:34himself
40:35he has mentioned
40:36in your own
40:37tv in Delhi
40:38he said
40:39yes
40:39there is an
40:40agreement
40:42there is an
40:43agreement
40:43of two and
40:44half years
40:44didn't he say
40:45that
40:45while he was
40:46speaking to
40:47Mr. Rajdeep
40:48Sardesai
40:48I agree
40:50I myself
40:51heard
40:52and today
40:53their senior
40:53leader
40:54PWD minister
40:56himself
40:56he said
40:57tomorrow at
40:5811 o'clock
41:00in Delhi
41:00there is a
41:01muhurtham
41:02fixed
41:02he himself
41:04has said it
41:04what does it
41:05mean
41:05what is
41:07muhurtham
41:07for
41:09is it
41:10the change
41:11of guard
41:12or is
41:13it
41:13going to
41:14be a
41:15expansion
41:15cabinet
41:16expansion
41:18what is
41:19it
41:20people want
41:21to answer
41:21I agree
41:23with you
41:23Mr. Sudhakar
41:24on one
41:24front
41:25this
41:25government
41:26is trapped
41:28there is
41:29no smoke
41:30without fire
41:31and so
41:32this has
41:32been playing
41:32out for
41:33the last
41:33many
41:34many
41:34months
41:34this
41:35is
41:36trapped
41:38of course
41:39this
41:39government
41:40is trapped
41:41clearly
41:42between
41:42the
41:43public
41:44management
41:45and
41:46as I
41:47said
41:47between
41:48the
41:49power
41:49management
41:49so
41:50clearly
41:51the
41:52power
41:52management
41:53has won
41:53in this
41:54Karnataka
41:54state
41:55and people
41:56are suffering
41:57bureaucracy
41:58has no
41:59clue
41:59bureaucracy
42:00do not
42:01know
42:02unless
42:02bureaucracy
42:03is clear
42:03they do
42:04not move
42:05the files
42:05there is
42:06no
42:06development
42:07taking
42:07place
42:07there is
42:09no
42:09relief
42:10for
42:10farmers
42:12there is
42:13no
42:13so you're
42:13suggesting
42:14and the
42:14BJP
42:15is suggesting
42:15that as a
42:16result of
42:16this kind
42:17of a
42:17fight
42:17governance
42:18has taken
42:18a hit
42:19in Karnataka
42:20irrespective
42:21we hope
42:21that the
42:22next 24
42:22hours
42:22we get
42:23clarity
42:23and this
42:24game of
42:24thrones
42:25the speculation
42:26the suspense
42:26all of it
42:27comes to an
42:27end
42:27Mr. Sudhakar
42:28I appreciate
42:29you taking
42:29the time
42:30out and
42:30joining us
42:31here on
42:31India
42:31today
42:32thank you
42:32very much
42:33sir
42:33hopefully
42:33next 24
42:34hours
42:34we'll have
42:35answers to
42:35all of
42:35the questions
42:36we've been
42:36asking
42:37not just
42:37today but
42:38for the
42:38last many
42:38months
42:39or whether
42:40we're going
42:40to see
42:40a change
42:41in chief
42:41minister
42:42or not
42:42tomorrow
42:4311am
42:43is that
42:44meeting
42:45and I'll be
42:45live
42:46we'll be
42:46getting you
42:46every update
42:48every update
42:48that comes
42:48in on
42:49that crucial
42:50huddle
42:50Sidra
42:51Maya
42:51DK
42:51Shivkumar
42:52being
42:52summoned
42:53to Delhi
42:53they'll be
42:54in a
42:54huddle
42:55with
42:55Malik Arjun
42:55Karge
42:55and Rahul
42:57Gandhi
42:57he'll be
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