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DK Shivakumar said, “Nothing is permanent in politics, not even the CM position.”
Amid discussions about the Chief Minister’s position and power dynamics in Karnataka politics, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made an important comment on Tuesday. He said that nothing is permanent in politics, not even the position of Chief Minister. Shivakumar said this when Congress MLA from Bhatkal and former minister Mankal Subba Vaidya was elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
Shivakumar advised Vaidya not to be disappointed on getting the responsibility of Deputy Speaker. He said that this post should not be seen as any kind of political decline or demotion. In his address, citing old examples, he said that some leaders who had occupied the post of Deputy Speaker later became Chief Ministers. In this context, he said that positions and responsibilities in politics are not permanent.
This comment of the Chief Minister immediately took a political turn within the Assembly. BJP MLAs reacted sarcastically to his statement. Opposition members also commented on Shivakumar’s changed tone and linked his statement to the current political situation.
What did Shivakumar say on Mankal Vaidya being made Deputy Speaker?
After Mankal Subba Vaidya was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister Shivakumar congratulated him for accepting the new responsibility. He said that the post of Deputy Speaker does not reduce the political stature of any leader.
Citing examples, Shivakumar said that leaders like S M Krishna and Jagadish Shettar also once occupied similar seats in the Assembly and later became Chief Ministers. He said that it is not right to consider any post as the final destination in politics.
The Chief Minister said that Vaidya’s name was initially considered for a ministerial position, but circumstances forced him to accept the position of Deputy Speaker. Shivakumar said that he personally spoke to Vaidya and requested him to take up the responsibility.
Shivakumar said, “The position of Deputy Speaker is not a demotion.”
Addressing Mankal Vaidya, Shivakumar said he should not be disappointed about becoming Deputy Speaker. Giving the example of the changing nature of positions in political life, he explained that one responsibility being smaller or bigger than another does not always mean less political importance.
He said that the role of the Deputy Speaker is also important within the Assembly and while holding this post, the leader has to play a role in running the proceedings of the House smoothly.
Shivakumar also reminded in his statement that earlier there was a tradition of giving the post of Deputy Speaker to the opposition. He said that this post is still vacant in the Lok Sabha also. This was also considered in Karnataka, but later due to circumstances, Vaidya was given this responsibility.
“I was given the responsibility due to immense pressure,” Shivakumar explained.
The Chief Minister said that Mankal Vaidya’s name was initially on the list of potential ministerial positions, but he was later asked to accept the position of Deputy Speaker. Shivakumar said that he himself spoke to Vaidya and requested him to take up this responsibility.
He also said that he had to personally apologize to Vaidya for this decision. According to the Chief Minister, this decision was taken amid circumstances and political pressure.
This comment of Shivakumar is also important because political discussions have been taking place from time to time in Karnataka Congress regarding the cabinet and posts. In such a situation, the Chief Minister’s statement that no post is permanent in politics naturally became a part of political discussions.
BJP MLAs took a dig at Shivakumar’s “philosophical” style.
During Shivakumar’s speech, BJP MLAs took a dig at his calm and persuasive style. BJP MLA Sunil Kumar said that the Chief Minister is currently seen in the role of a ‘Vedanta philosopher’.
Sunil Kumar even suggested that Shivakumar should adopt the role of a philosopher by handing over the post of Chief Minister to Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. Shivakumar also immediately responded to this comment of BJP.
He said that if Parameshwara is a senior leader and is suitable for this role, then why should he not be made the Chief Minister. After this reply of the Chief Minister, an atmosphere of political humour and sarcasm was once again seen in the Assembly.
The BJP said Shivakumar has changed significantly since becoming CM.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra and senior leader Araga Jnanendra also reacted to Shivakumar’s statement. Both the leaders commented that Shivakumar’s political style has changed a lot after becoming the Chief Minister.
Opposition leaders took a dig at him by comparing his current statements with his old political stance. BJP leaders indicated that after coming to power, Shivakumar’s attitude appeared more restrained and compromising than before.
However, Congress may have a different political view on this comment. For the ruling party, this statement can be seen as a general political message regarding responsibilities within the government and the organisation.
The statement “Nothing is permanent” has once again heated up Karnataka politics.
DK Shivakumar’s statement was made in the context of the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, but its political implications have become much broader. The Chief Minister clearly said that no post is permanent in politics and responsibilities keep changing according to the circumstances.
Regarding Mankal Vaidya being made Deputy Speaker, Shivakumar tried to assure him by citing old examples that this post is not the end of his political journey. At the same time, BJP MLAs took a dig at the Chief Minister over this statement and talked about a change in his political style.
At present, this debate in the Assembly has left an interesting message in the politics of Karnataka. While Shivakumar spoke about the temporary nature of the posts, the BJP took a political dig at the same comment by linking it to the post of Chief Minister and the internal equations of the Congress. Whether this statement comes into discussion again in the future or not will depend on the changing political situation in Karnataka.
