K'taka CM Power Tussle: Siddaramaiah’s Big Remark as Congress MLAs Backing DK Shivakumar Fly to Delhi

Bengaluru:

A fresh batch of Karnataka Congress MLAs backing Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has travelled to New Delhi as speculation over whether the Congress will change the Chief Minister in Karnataka under the rumoured 2.5-year power sharing formula grows more intense. The MLAs have gone to Delhi to meet the party high command.

What Siddaramaiah Says As MLAs Backing Shivakumar Visit Delhi

According to PTI, with six MLAs from the Shivakumar camp landing in Delhi and more likely to join them, besides those who had already visited the national capital, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the high command takes the ultimate call on the leadership change, and that it should be accepted by himself as well as his deputy."We will abide by the high command decision. If they decide I should continue (as CM), I will continue. Ultimately, whatever the high command decides, I should accept it. Shivakumar should also accept it," Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Siddaramaiah on whether Shivakumar Would Become CM

Asked if Shivakumar would become the CM, Siddaramaiah said, "When I have said the high command will decide, you are asking me the same thing again."The veteran leader's remarks came amidst supporters of Shivakumar, also the state Congress chief, flying to Delhi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aybDbTJQo

How Many Congress MLAs Are Visiting Delhi to Meet High Command?

At least six legislators backing deputy CM Sivakumar landed in the national capital on Sunday night to meet Congress leaders, even as a rumoured power-sharing agreement between the top two leaders in 2023 has only fuelled the speculations.

What is Karnataka Govt 2.5-Year Power-Sharing Formula

As the Congress government completed its 2.5 years of term on November 20, there have been speculations that there may be a CM change, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution" in light of the power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the party won the 2023 Assembly polls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAvpjaOUw_Y

Incidentally, former KPCC chief and Home Minister G Parameshwara has also thrown his hat in the ring, amid calls for a Dalit CM to take over the reins.Besides the six pro-Shivakumar MLAs who are in Delhi now, few more legislators are likely to travel soon to pitch for the KPCC chief as CM, party sources said.The MLAs who are in Delhi are -- HC Balakrishna, KM Uday, Nayana Motamma, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bachegowd and Shivaganga Basavaraj, sources added.

Siddaramaiah Met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

Siddaramaiah had earlier met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is in Bengaluru. The Congress chief is scheduled to travel to Delhi, and top party leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to return from abroad, sources said in an indication that the matter might be discussed between the two.

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Kharge has also stated that the Congress high command will decide on the matter.Last week, about 10 MLAs supporting Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi and met Kharge, as the Congress government completed 2.5 years in office on November 20.With inputs from PTI