Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka and BJP State unit president B. Y. Vijayendra.
| Photo Credit: File photo
Adding to the ongoing speculation on leadership change in Karnataka, leader of opposition in Legislative Assembly R. Ashok on October 3 claimed that the State will have a new Chief Minister by November or December.Mr. Ashok, speaking in Belagavi, after visiting flood-hit areas, claimed, “I have definite information that there is a power sharing agreement between Mr. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. Mr. Shivakumar wants to become the Chief Minister in a few months, but the Chief Minister is not allowing that. That is why there is a big internal fight in the Karnataka Congress. Supporters of Mr. Shivakumar who are hinting of a leadership change are being sidelined. Mr. Siddaramaiah is not ready to give up power, while Mr. Shivakumar does not stop trying.”The Chief Minister, speaking earlier this week in Mysuru, had asserted that he will continue in his post for the full term. Two Congress leaders, who had made statements on leadership change, were served notices by KPCC on October 2.No staking claimMr. Ashok said that the BJP does not plan to stake claim to form the government if the Congress government falls due to such internal squabbles. “We will not form the government. We are ready to go to the polls,” he said. “The State Government has run out of money. Congress MLAs themselves are saying that they have not received funds for development. The government is not even trying to fill potholes in Bengaluru roads.”
