Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sent a clear message on Wednesday to party members supporting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as the next CM, saying confidently, “I will be the Chief Minister for five years. Why doubt that?”
This statement comes as some Congress legislators have openly backed Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, as a potential future leader of Karnataka.
Shivakumar, however, said he hasn’t asked anyone to make him the Chief Minister. He warned that leaders who publicly discuss leadership changes might face notices from the party.
He emphasized the efforts of many party workers, saying, “Hundreds like me have worked hard, not just me. We must think about the thousands of workers supporting the party.”
Shivakumar added that he has no choice but to support Siddaramaiah and respects whatever decision the party’s top leadership makes. He also dismissed rumors of dissatisfaction within the party, saying, “There is no disgruntlement as long as Siddaramaiah leads.”
Meanwhile, about 100 Congress MLAs reportedly backed a leadership change from Siddaramaiah to Shivakumar, according to MLA Iqbal Hussain, a strong supporter of Shivakumar.
Hussain has asked the party’s general secretary, Randeep Singh Surjewala, to consider the leadership change. But Surjewala, who is meeting with Congress MLAs, said no talks about changing leadership have taken place so far.
