Make DK Shivakumar Karnataka CM, says Congress MLA

Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister since May 2023 and D.K. Shivakumar is the lone Deputy Chief Minister. Sources said that some Ministers loyal to Siddaramaiah raised the issue of creation of additional DyCM posts with an intention to put brakes on D.K. Shivakumar who is said to have considerable clout in the party and also in running the government. In the past, Ministers in Siddaramaiah cabinet including K.N. Rajanna, H.C. Mahadevappa among others have favoured creation of additional DyCM posts.

Speaking to reporters in Channagiri town of Davangere district, Shivaganga, representing Channagiri assembly seat, said “I have no objection to the demand for creation of 5 DyCM posts” and stated “Along with creation of DyCM posts, let there be a reshuffle in the ministry.”

The MLA said D.K. Shivakumar has been made the Deputy Chief Minister owing to his organizational skills and not merely on caste basis alone and added that all communities have supported the Congress party in 2023 assembly elections including micro communities for the Congress party to assume power in Karnataka.

Shivaganga said "Let 10-15 DyCM posts be created to give representation to all communities but D.K. Shivakumar should be made the Chief Minister. “By creation of additional DYCM posts, let the wish of leaders demanding additional DyCM posts come true,” he said.

Senior leaders of the party have raised the issue of creation of additional DyCM posts despite warnings from All India Congress Committee Randeep Singh Surjewala, president of All India Congress Committee Mallikarjun Kharge among others. When seniors raise the issue, the MLA said, “It becomes imperative for the first time MLAs like me to speak on the issue.”