CM post not vacant for now, says Shivakumar

New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the chief minister’s post is not vacant and there is no need to discuss such issue now. 

“The CM’s post is not vacant right now. Hence, this is not the time to discuss it, “ Shivakumar told reporters here. 

He was reacting to a question about some of Congress MLAs suggesting his name for the CM’s post.

The DCM arrived at the national capital to meet the Union Ministers on Karnataka’s pending issues. He will stay here for few more days. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also arrive at national capital on Wednesday to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss state’s issues with Defence Ministry. 

Both are likely to meet the party top leaders including Rahul Gandhi during their stay. 

Amid few MLAs speculating the change of leadership in the state, Congress general secretary (Karnataka in-charge) Randeep Surjewala also held meeting with party MLAs in the state to elicit their views on current political developments in the state. 

Shivakumar also said Surjewala will hold joint meeting with him and CM to discuss state’s political developments. However, Shivakumar refused to disclose details of the proposed meeting.

Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s appointment as member of Congress party’s national OBC Advisory Council, Shivakumar said, “Siddaramaiah is an influential leader of the backward classes and the party is utilising it. The national OBC Advisory Council meeting scheduled for July 15 would be held under the leadership of Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru,” he said.