Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayaraddi addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Monday.
| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE
Taking exception to BJP leaders, including State president B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, making “sarcastic comments” against AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Economic Advisor to Chief Minister and MLA Basavaraj Rayaraddi termed Mr. Kharge “a potential Prime Minister candidate”.
Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Monday, Mr. Rayaraddi said that Mr. Kharge being the senior most leader of the Congress has contributed a great deal to society, the nation and the party. He has the “ability”to become the Prime Minister, he said. And, the “sarcastic comments” (Kharge becoming the Prime Ministerial candidate) being made by the BJP leaders can become a reality, he hoped.
Mr. Rayaraddi said that in September, changes can happen in national politics going by the statement made by RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat about him retiring on reaching 75 years of age.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi being a truthful person may step down on attaining the age of 75 in September. If Mr. Modi doesn’t step down, then it will reveal the double standards of the BJP. And, when Mr. Modi steps down, then NDA partners like the TDP may not extend the support they are extending now to Mr. Modi as they are not the natural allies of the BJP,” he claimed.
“And, if they withdraw support, then, the BJP will be reduced to 265 and the Congress and allies will stand at 273+ in the Lower House. Being Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will have a chance to be potential PM candidates. As the Gandhi family has been known for sacrifice, Mr. Gandhi may sacrifice his ‘claim’ and Mr. Kharge will be the natural choice as he has all the qualities of becoming Prime Minister. My advice to the BJP leaders is that their words of sarcasm can become a reality,” he said.
On Mr. Kharge’s remark that the party high command will decide a candidate for the post of Chief Minister, Mr. Rayaraddi clarified that the Congress Working Committee is the competent authority to take the decision. In other words, it is the high command of the party, he added.
To another query, Mr. Rayaraddi said that his reading is that Siddaramaiah will complete his term as Chief Minister and there will be no change in State politics.
Published – July 21, 2025 06:47 pm IST
