Change in CM face? Karnataka minister KN Rajanna hints at ‘major political shift’; DK Shivakumar responds | Bengaluru News – Times of India

BENGALURU: Cooperation minister KN Rajanna, a confidant of chief minister Siddaramaiah, Thursday said there are “too many power centres” within governing Congress in Karnataka and hinted at changes after Sept, sparking fresh speculation of a cabinet rejig and even a change of CM.Speculation of change has been doing the rounds after reports indicated deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar would take over from Siddaramaiah as CM, although the party high command has reportedly asked functionaries to keep mum on the issue.Asked whether Siddaramaiah will be replaced, Rajanna cryptically said: “It may or may not happen.”On reports that Siddaramaiah doesn’t command the same authority over the administration as his he did during his previous stint from 2013-18, Rajanna said: “From 2013-18 there was only one power centre. Now there are many, so there is more hustle and bustle. Keeping this in mind, he [Siddaramaiah] must manage the govt and party as well.”However, Rajanna’s cabinet colleague, public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, said he does not foresee major upheavals. “I don’t feel that way. I don’t see big changes, but there may be changes,” he said. On a cabinet reshuffle, he said, “There may be some changes, but not big changes.”There are also rumours that Shivakumar could be displaced as Congress state president. Rajanna said he is still a contender for the post and given a chance he will quit as minister and take up the role.‘CM hasn’t lost grip’Shivakumar, meanwhile, firmly rejected speculation that Siddaramaiah has lost control over the state administration, amid internal dissent and growing criticism from some party legislators. Shivakumar said the matter was being unnecessarily amplified. “The CM has not lost control over the administration,” he said. “Nothing like that has happened. If there are issues, the party high command will deal with it. I’ve also been talking to them. You reporters are blowing up things.”