‘I will be CM for 5 years,’ says Siddaramaiah amid speculations of leadership change

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday sought to put at rest speculations of a leadership change in the state, saying he will be in office for a full five-year term.

 

"Yes, I will be. Why do you have the doubt?,” he asked in response to the question of a reporter at Chikkaballapura.

 

Siddaramaiah’s assertion came amid rumours that he may be replaced by Congress state president D.K. Shivakumar later this year as per a power-sharing formula agreed by the two leaders.

 

There was stiff competition between the two leaders for the CM post after the assembly elections in 2023, though the party high command later managed to convince Shivakumar and made him the deputy CM.

 

There were reports that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had agreed to a ‘rotational chief minister formula’ as per which Shivakumar would become the CM after two and a half years.

 

However, neither the two leaders nor the party has officially confirmed such a deal.

 

READ | Is Karnataka Congress' high command gauging the mood of its MLAs before a leadership change?

 

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said he would fully support Siddaramaiah and abide by any decision the high command takes.

 

"What option do I have? I have to stand by him and support him. I don't have any objection to it, whatever the party high command says and whatever they decide, it will be fulfilled,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.

 

On Tuesday, the KPCC president had denied any discussion in the party on leadership change and stressed on strengthening the hands of CM Siddaramaiah and the state government.

 

Asserting that there is no disgruntlement within the ruling Congress, he said when Siddaramaiah is there as the CM, there is no need for any discord on the leadership issue.

 

Speculations about the change of guard gathered steam last week after Congress MLA H.A. Iqbal Hussain claimed that Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become chief minister in two to three months.

 

Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna’s statement that there would be "revolutionary" political developments in the state after September also added fuel to the rumours.

India