Party high command, CLP will decide CM candidate in 2028: Satish Jarkiholi

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Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar greeting Satish Jarkiholi during the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: ANI

The party high command and the Congress Legislature Party will decide who will become the Chief Minister in 2028. Anyway, that is not the question before us now. That question will be raised and answered in 2028, Minister and Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi said in Hukkeri of Belagavi district on Monday.

The issue of leadership comes later. The foremost issue before all of us is to work together to ensure the party’s victory in the 2028 Assembly polls, he said.

He was responding to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s statement that he will seek the blessings of the people to continue as Chief Minister after the 2028 Assembly polls.

“It is natural for all leaders to aspire for power and higher positions in public life. It is natural for Mr. Shivakumar to aspire to lead the State in the next elections too. What is wrong in it?” Mr. Jarkiholi said.

To a query, Mr. Jarkiholi told reporters that he has always maintained that he is an aspirant for the Chief Minister’s post in the future.

“There can be several aspirants. In a party with internal democracy, it is natural also. But it is for the party high command and the Congress Legislature Party to choose the next Chief Minister. I have said it earlier also,” he said.

He reiterated that he has not been given the KPCC chief’s post due to the One Person, One Post rule prevalent in the party.

“I was an aspirant for the post. But the party told me to choose. I told them to give me any post. They have made me Minister now. I am happy. I am not upset,” he said.

In a public rally in Dodda Alanahalli near Kanakapura on Sunday, Mr. Shivakumar requested people to bless him so that he continues as Chief Minister even after 2028.