Didn’t discuss leadership change with MLAs, MPs in Karnataka: Congress leader Surjewala

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, July 1, 2025: AICC general secretary and party’s Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday ruled out gathering any opinion on leadership change, remarks that came in the wake of internal bickering in the Congress’ state unit over the matter.

Surjewala said that he has been meeting the MLAs and MPs to understand the work done by them in their respective constituencies.

"Some of you asked me are you taking opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today-- the answer is clearly ’no’ in one word," he said in a press conference.

Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka State Congress president, Surjewala said he had a meeting with the party MLAs, MPs, MLCs and party candidates who contested the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress leader said, "We are meeting the MLAs and MPs. We are trying yo understand what work they have done in their constituencies. It’s important to review their performance." He said it was necessary to see the status of the implementation of the five guarantees, which includes free bus travel for women.

On some Congress MLAs’ charges that there was no development work happening in their segments, Surjewala said there are sufficient funds available with the government for development in Karnataka.

"This is a bogey raised by BJP in Karnataka. They want the guarantees to be shut down," the Congress leader alleged.

"I reiterate that the BJP leaders from R Ashoka to Vijayendra want to stop the five guarantees. They want Rs 58,000 crore not to go to the pockets of Kannadigas in a transparent manner," he claimed.