‘Spoke of ideological successor, not CM’: Siddaramaiah clarifies son Yathindra’s remarks

Siddaramaiah

Days after his son Yathindra’s comments on his political career and a possible successor stirred a debate, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the statement was in reference to ideological successor and not a political heir.

“What can I do if his statement is twisted? I asked Yathindra what comment he made. He told me that he only spoke of him (Satish Jarkiholi) as an ideological successor, not as the next CM," he said.

When asked about the timing of such a statement amid the ongoing speculation over his successor, Siddaramaiah said, "You people do not stay quiet and keep asking such questions despite saying ‘no’.”

Yathindra’s comments caused a flutter in the Karnataka Congress unit when he said his father was approaching the end of his political career and identified public works minister Satish Jarkiholi as a leader aligned with his father’s progressive thinking.

"He (Siddaramaiah) is at the fag end of his political life. At such a time, a leader is needed to guide and lead those who have progressive thinking, ideologically." Minister Satish Jarkiholi is a leader with similar progressive ideological thinking, Yathindra said in Belagavi on Wednesday.

The statement was interpreted as signalling Siddaramaiah’s successor and coincided with growing buzz in Karnataka’s corridors of power that deputy CM DK Shivakumar could assume the top post in November, as part of a 2023 compromise involving a rotational chief ministership.

Jarkiholi, meanwhile, clarified that Yathindra did not make any statement regarding the CM post. Instead, Yathindra's remarks were aimed at strengthening the AHINDA community, which represents backward classes and Dalits.

AHINDA is the Kannada acronym for Alpasankhyataru, Hindulidavaru, and Dalitaru (minorities, OBCS, SCs).

Speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said, "The statement from Yathindra is for our AHINDA community, which comprises communities of backward classes and Dalits. He has appealed for leadership in that regard, and it was not about the CM's face. So, people have become confused about it."