Leadership: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says high command in his favour; Never disputed that, says Shivakumar

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday dismissed the existence of any power-sharing deal mid-term – an assertion that flew in the face of a claim from Dy CM DK Shivakumar about a “secret” deal five to six Congress leaders were privy to.

The CM, while speaking on a discussion on North Karnataka related issues, said he had never mentioned anywhere that he would be the CM for two and a half years. He said he completed a five-year term once and was back as the CM for a second term. “I believe the high command is in my favour and will continue as long as the high command wishes,” he said when the Opposition BJP members sought to know if he would remain the CM to fulfill the promises his government has made to North Karnataka.

The Congress MLAs elected him as their leader and the high command endorsed it later, he added.


`UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN US’
Shivakumar, speaking to reporters near Karwar, said he had never disputed that the high command was in Siddaramaiah’s favour or suggested he would not complete his term. “Siddaramaiah and I have reached an understanding and both of us have convinced the high command also.” Shivakumar, who is also the president of Congress party’s Karnataka unit, had hinted, last month, that there had been an understanding reached at the Congress leadership level ahead of Siddaramaiah’s swearing-in as chief minister in May 2023.

Public sparring over the CM post between the followers of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has paused after the two leaders established a new bonhomie with after back-to-back breakfasts early this month.

The leadership issue was on the boil for some time last month, after Siddaramaiah completed half his term. Since Siddaramaiah took oath as CM for a second time in May 2023, there have been unconfirmed reports that Shivakumar would replace Siddaramaiah after the first 30 months.