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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he will be in office for a full five-year term and emphasised that the Congress party was united.
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. (File image: PTI)
After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that he will be in office for a full five-year term, his deputy DK Shivakumar threw his weight behind him. However, the Karnataka Congress president apparently looked unhappy in front of reporters, especially when he said: “What option do I have?”
Ending the leadership tussle in the state, at least for now, Shivakumar said he has no objection, apparently to Siddaramaiah continuing as the chief minister.
“What option do I have? I have to stand by him and support him. I have no objection. Whatever the party high command decides will be implemented,” he said.
VIDEO | Bengaluru: As leadership crisis looms in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar), responding to CM Siddaramaiah’s remarks, said, “What option do I have? I have to stand by him and support him. I have no objection. Whatever the party high command… pic.twitter.com/Nfmag3PSgu— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2025
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.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah said that he will be in office for a full five-year term and emphasised that the Congress party was united.
“Yes, I will be. Why do you have the doubts?” Siddaramaiah said in response to a question by reporters whether he will be the CM for five years.
There has been speculation within political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the Chief Minister change later this year, citing power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
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.
Accusing the BJP of spreading lies about the stability of the government, Siddaramaiah said that his government will be in power “solid as a rock” for five years.
Responding to a question on ministerial aspirants in the Congress, the CM said the Congress high command will decide.
“In a democracy, everyone has the right to become a CM. The high command (of Congress) will ultimately decide. There are about 140 people (legislators) in our party. Only 34 people can be made ministers. Can everybody be made minister?” he asked.
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)
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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