CM post is not vacant in Karnataka, But...

One reported statement of a Congress MLA has raised the political temperature in Karnataka ruling party. Congress' Mandya MLA Ravikumar Gowda's (Ravi Ganiga) claim that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will become the chief minister after two-and-half years of the government's tenure, has caused a flutter within the ruling party circles."There is no brain (in such speculations)...Siddaramaiah will be there for five years...the CM post is not vacant, isn't he CM now? ...He is CM," Mahadevappa, a close confidant of Siddaramaiah, told reporters in response to a question. But , Shivkumar was not seen at a dinner meeting at Home Minister G Parameshwara's residence on Friday night, attended by Siddaramaiah, Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa and PWD Minister Satih Jarakiholi. This has also has fuelled speculation in political quarters.
Siddaramaiah was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 20 this year after the Congress posted a landslide victory ousting the BJP from power.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister post after the assembly election results in May this year, and the Congress party had managed to convince the latter and made him the deputy chief minister.Though there were reports that a compromise had been reached based on a rotational chief minister formula, according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, it has not been officially confirmed by the party.
Responding to a question about CM change, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said the high command has to decide and clarify whether the CM will change or continue; it's not decided at our level.Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said: "There is a legislature party, AICC high command, and they will decide on things at the appropriate time...There is no difference between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar and they are doing their job seriously in the interest of the state."here are more than 50 people who have the capability to become CM in the Congress party, he said. "When their time comes they will become. The post is not vacant now."

(Dr Mysi Patil, State Correspondent)