Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Responds to Calls for Chief Minister Change

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he would abide by the Congress High Command’s decision regarding the Chief Minister position. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, he addressed the demand made by Vokkaliga pontiff Chandrashekaranatha Swami during the Kempe Gowda Jayanthi event, suggesting Shivakumar should replace current CM Siddaramaiah.

Shivakumar emphasized, “Some people are overly enthusiastic. It is natural for such words of appreciation in politics, but we should not take it seriously. Party decision will be final on that.”

At the 515th birth anniversary of Bengaluru founder Kempegowda, Chandrashekaranatha Swami publicly asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step aside and hand over power to DK Shivakumar. After Congress won the mandate in the last Assembly election, both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah had staked claim over the chief minister’s post. After many rounds of talks, Congress leadership decided to choose Siddaramaiah for the chief minister’s post. There have been talks of a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, but the party has never publicly acknowledged it.

When asked about Minister K N Rajanna’s statement that he was ready to relinquish his ministership to become the KPCC President, Shivakumar said he would respond to that later. Regarding his Delhi visit, he said, “I will be meeting the newly elected MPs from Karnataka to discuss pending central projects in the State. It is necessary to bring up issues pertaining to the State and put pressure on the Centre. We will instruct the MPs to fight for the land, water, and language of the State.”