"Don't Want MLAs To Speak Anymore": DK Shivakumar Amid Karnataka Showdown

The big Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar face-off for the post of Karnataka Chief Minister - a battle festering since the party's 2023 election win and which seemed set to roil the ruling Congress for weeks more - came to a screeching halt Tuesday after a crestallen DKS signalled a climbdown.

DKS, as Shivakumar is popularly called, told NDTV 'I don't want any MLAs to bat for me' and called on all Congress legislators to focus on ensuring the party retains power in the 2028 Assembly election.

"The focus should be the 2028 election. I don't want MLAs to speak for me anymore. The 'high command' will take action (against them) if they do. There are no factions in the Congress... there is only one congress under (party boss Mallikarjun) Kharge. I am not here seeking change," he said.

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