NEW DELHI: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said there will only be a cabinet reshuffle quashing rumours about a possible leadership change in the state.His remarks came a day after chief minister Siddaramaiah met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, sparking fresh talk about impending changes. While reports suggested that the high command had begun considering a reshuffle, Siddaramaiah dismissed those claims, saying there were “no discussions on the reshuffle” and that the meeting focused solely on the Bihar election outcome.Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the matter rests entirely with the chief minister and the party leadership. “It is said that the high command has given permission for a reshuffle. Media is saying it and this subject is coming out in the open. Now you can guess what’s happening with regard to the change of guard. Normally, leadership changes do not happen when the Cabinet reshuffle takes place,” he said, as quoted by PTI.He added that several Congress legislators have been pushing for ministerial berths. “Now, after getting permission for a reshuffle, the CM and the high command will do it. To me this is not a big issue,” he said.Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi echoed the position, saying the decision lies with the party leadership. “On Saturday, the chief minister met the party high command. Only he knows what discussion took place with the high command. The decision on the Cabinet reshuffle is left to him and the party top brass,” he told reporters.Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah reiterated that his meeting with Rahul Gandhi was strictly political and connected to the Bihar results. “Yes, I met Rahul Gandhi. We only discussed the Bihar election. He’s our leader, so we encouraged him after a setback in the Bihar election. He said he’s not worried about it. We have told him not to lose his spirit. There was no discussion about a cabinet reshuffle at all. I will meet the PM on Monday if I get an appointment,” he said.Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, who previously said he would “follow” Siddaramaiah’s word amid leadership rumours, distanced himself from Saturday’s meeting. “I don’t know about the CM’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi. I don’t know about a cabinet reshuffle discussion… If you want to ask anything about a reshuffling of leadership change issues, speak to CM. We have to follow what the party says,” he said.
