BENGALURU: Amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday indicated for the first time an agreement between him and his deputy DK Shivakumar to take turns as CM.
“Ultimately, the high command will make a decision (on the leadership change) or everything,” he told reporters in response to a question about the leadership change.
This marks a significant change from Siddaramaiah’s statements so far, where he had doubled down on completing a five-year term. Shivakumar had recently said that he would “do his duty”; any decision about leadership rests with the party.
DKS and Jarkiholi patrons ‘pray’ for CMship
Siddaramaiah’s statement on Thursday comes out of a 50-50 power-sharing formula that was much talked about soon after the Congress scored a big victory in the 2023 assembly elections. At the time, Shivakumar had pushed for the premiership, prompting the party to intervene and reportedly propose a 30-month power-sharing deal.
Siddaramaiah will complete 30 months in office at the end of the year. Supporters of the two frontrunners, Shivakumar and Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, have been organizing special rituals at temples to pray for their respective candidates to secure the prime minister’s post.
On the dispute between the sides, Siddaramaiah said, “Ultimately, the high command will take a call.” He also addressed BJP’s allegations of misappropriation of funds allocated for SC/ST welfare programmes.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra had accused the Congress government of misappropriating funds and failing to address the concerns of these communities. The CM dismissed the charges as “politically motivated”.