Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that he will be in office for a full five-year term. Puts an end to the political speculations of leadership change mid-term.
"Yes, I will be the Chief Minister for five years. Why do you have the doubt?" , Siddaramaiah said in response to a question by reporters whether he will be the CM for five years.
For some time now there has been political speculations, especially within the ruling Congress, about the Chief Minister change later this year, citing power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
“What option I have, I have to stand by him, I have to support him. Whatever high command says I have to do that.” Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said.
However, Shivakumar on Tuesday said there is no discussion on leadership change and stressed on strengthening the hands of CM Siddaramaiah and the party's government in the state. He added he was not aspiring to become Chief Minister and that his focus is on strengthening the Congress ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
On claims by the BJP and JD(S) leaders that the CM will be replaced mid-term, Siddaramaiah responded, "Are they our high command?". Claims of speculated congress leadership change in Karnataka was made by BJP's R Ashoka who is Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, B Y Vijayendra who is the state BJP President and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy who is the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council.
Earlier, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar asserted that there is no disgruntlement within the ruling Congress and when Siddaramaiah is there as the CM, there is no need for any discord on the leadership issue.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
With Inputs From PTI.
