Siddaramaiah Asserts Authority as Chief Minister, Defends Party Unity Amid Speculations

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In a show of confidence, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday reaffirmed his authority to the top post, stating that he will continue as long as the Congress high command desires. The assertion came in the backdrop of a controversy sparked by Congress MLA HD Ranganath, who alleged that farmers in his constituency were being denied short-term loans by the District Central Cooperative Bank, despite neighboring Madhugiri receiving loans worth ₹100 crore. Ranganath claimed the discrimination was unfair and called for immediate action. However, the opposition BJP seized the opportunity to question the unity of the ruling Congress party, with Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka suggesting that the alleged discrimination was a deliberate attempt to favor Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's ambitions. Ashoka's remarks sparked a heated exchange, with Siddaramaiah accusing the opposition of exploiting internal party matters. Siddaramaiah went on to frame his tenure as a reflection of the party's electoral mandate, stating that the voters of Karnataka have blessed the Congress to complete a five-year term. He also assured that the Congress legislature party remains intact, with all 140 MLAs standing united. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar addressed questions about his recent visit to New Delhi, saying that he had met with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and exchanged pleasantries. The controversy has reignited speculations about the ongoing power struggle within the Congress party, with many wondering what the future holds for Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the battle for control of the party is far from over.