I will continue as CM: Siddaramaiah asserts amid leadership buzz; DK Shivakumar says he has no option but to support
The leadership chatter was reignited by Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain, who claimed that Shivakumar could become chief minister within two to three months. "I have full confidence that the high command is aware of the situation and will take the right decision," Hussain said.
New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday reaffirmed that he would continue to serve a full five-year term amid renewed speculation within the Congress about a possible leadership change in the state, with several MLAs backing deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar for the top post.
"Yes, I will continue as CM. Why do you have doubts?" Siddaramaiah told reporters, dismissing any suggestion of internal discord. "There is no confusion or rift. We are united."
The remarks came a day after AICC general secretary and Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the party was not considering a leadership change. "We are not taking an opinion on leadership change in Karnataka," Surjewala said at a press conference in Bengaluru. "The answer is clearly 'no' in one word," he added.
'What option do I have?'
Meanwhile, Shivakumar, who had long been seen as a contender for the chief minister's post, said he had "no option" but to support the current leadership. "What option do I have? I have to stand by him and support him," Shivakumar told the reporters on Wednesday. "Whatever the party high command tells and whatever they decide, it will be fulfilled."
The leadership chatter was reignited by Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain, who claimed that Shivakumar could become chief minister within two to three months. "I have full confidence that the high command is aware of the situation and will take the right decision," Hussain said.
The Congress high command, however, has issued a show-cause notice to Hussain, according to reports. Surjewala has also clarified that his ongoing meetings with MLAs were only to assess constituency-level performance, not leadership matters.
A united front before media
Earlier this week, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had appeared together before the media, holding hands in a symbolic show of unity. When asked if the two were on good terms, Siddaramaiah said yes, while Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
Despite attempts at a united front, multiple media reports mention that around 100 Congress MLAs have privately expressed support for a leadership change. Cooperation minister KN Rajanna earlier hinted at political changes after September.
Siddaramaiah was appointed CM after Congress registered a landslide victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections and after several rounds of deliberations by the central leadership. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were key contenders at the time, but the party eventually decided on a "power-sharing arrangement" with Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as his deputy.