The source close to Shivakumar stated “No doubt Siddaramaiah is one of the tallest leaders of the State. But, then the hard work of Shivakumar to bring the party back to power cannot be ignored” and added “the statements by Ministers who are close to Siddaramaiah, has been a blessing in disguise for Shivakumar who has now gained in support from party workers to stake claim for CM’s post”
BENGALURU: Over reported tussle on power sharing between him and his Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday stated “Eventually, it is the Congress party high command to decide (on his fate whether to continue in office or he will be replaced)” and stated “The decision of the high command is applicable to all.”
He, however, distanced himself from the statements made by his cabinet colleague and Minister of Cooperation K.N. Rajanna favouring continuance of Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister for full term and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over possible change in Chief Minister in Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah said Rajanna and Shivakumar have made their statements and stated “Let’s see (what happens next).” The Chief Minister made it clear to media persons that he does not wish to get into controversy by commenting over the reported power sharing pact (between him and Shivakumar).
Asked whether the power sharing pact between him and Shivakumar is true, Siddaramaiah said “How many times shall I tell you that the matter is left to the highcommand’s decision.”
A source close to D.K. Shivakumar told Deccan Chronicle “Power sharing between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar is true. Both will get two-and-half year terms to serve as Chief Minister.”
The source, a leader in Kanakapura, home town of Shivakumar, stated, a section of Ministers are averse to a Vokkaliga becoming a Chief Minister and Shivakumar belongs to Vokkaliga community, a politically dominant caste of Karnataka.
The source close to Shivakumar stated “No doubt Siddaramaiah is one of the tallest leaders of the State. But, then the hard work of Shivakumar to bring the party back to power cannot be ignored” and added “the statements by Ministers who are close to Siddaramaiah, has been a blessing in disguise for Shivakumar who has now gained in support from party workers to stake claim for CM’s post.”
It may be recalled here that Congress party returned to power in Karnataka in May 2023 Assembly elections and Siddaramaiah became the Chief Minister and if power sharing pact between the two leaders is true then Siddaramaiah’s term will end in November/December this year.
Adding fuel to speculations that Siddaramaiah’s days as a Chief Minister are numbered, Leader of Opposition in Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) R. Ashoka, a couple of days back, stated Siddaramaiah’s term in office will end on November 12 this year.
Meanwhile, D.K. Shivakumar, also the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), in reply to Rajanna’s statement backing Siddaramaiah for 5 years as CM, told reporters “I will comment on it after I return (to Bengaluru) after a couple of days.”
