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Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar: Siddaramaiah expressed his intention to complete five years on the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka, while DK Shivakumar is expecting a change of leadership. Siddaramaiah said that he has full faith in the Congress High Command.
Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah has made clear his intention to remain the Chief Minister of Karnataka, while pressure on him is continuously increasing from his deputy DK Shivakumar. Shivakumar is pinning hopes on a leadership change midway through 2023 based on an unspoken agreement – that the two will ‘share’ the top post in the state, and each will hold the post for 2.5 years. However, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he will complete his five-year term. Along with this, he also expressed confidence in the support of the Congress High Command.
During the discussion in the Assembly on the development of North Karnataka, Siddaramaiah also said that he never said that he was the Chief Minister only for two and a half years. Responding to a question by opposition BJP MLAs whether the government’s promises to North Karnataka would be fulfilled during his tenure, he said, “I am confident that the high command will allow me to complete my five-year term.” He said, “I feel that the high command is with me, but I will follow the decision of the high command.”
When BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar asked about his future, the Chief Minister said, “I am the Chief Minister. If the high command decides, I will be the Chief Minister in future also.” When opposition members criticized Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. When Shivkumar insisted on a ‘power-sharing’ agreement to hold the top post by rotation, he said, “I never said that I will be the Chief Minister for two and a half years.” Sunil Kumar said, “We want you to fulfill all the promises made to the North Karnataka region. You have to make it clear whether you will remain the Chief Minister in future also or not.”
Siddaramaiah replied, “I will remain the Chief Minister in the future also.” He also reminded the saffron party leaders that their stalwart leader B. S. Yediyurappa had promised a full tenure, but he had to step down. Taking a dig at the opposition, he said, “There is no one to direct us. We are producers, directors and actors, whereas you have a director.” These statements of Siddaramaiah come amid speculations about change of Chief Minister in Karnataka, when the Congress government completed half of its five-year tenure on November 20. This conversation highlights Siddaramaiah’s efforts to show stability and strengthen his position in the party.
