I have one vote to elect CM, not Yatindra: Karnataka Congress MLA

Davangere: Taunting MLC Yatindra Siddaramaiah, who stated that the Congress high command has given green signal for the continuation of Siddaramaiah as the chief minister, Channagiri MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga said, "I too have one vote to elect the chief minister, but, Yatindra does not have it."

Addressing media persons here on Saturday, he said that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar may have said that Yatindra is the high command. "However, our high command is in Delhi. Yatindra should clarify who his high command is", he said.

He further stated that Yatindra Siddaramaiah may be the high command for D K Shivakumar. "However, our high command is different. Our high command will have to look at Yatindra Siddaramaiah's statements carefully. However, it seems that the high command is not observing such remarks", he said.

Referring to the power sharing agreement, he said to his knowledge, there was an agreement that Shivakumar would be made the chief minister after the completion of 30 months. However, the high command has not made any public statement on the issue so far. It would be better if the senior leaders clarified the matter to put an end to speculation, he added.

MLA Basavaraju, who is also the close aide of Shivakumar, said that he is observing a fast to see Shivakumar as the chief minister. "Shivakumar has the support of 139 MLAs. Around 30 to 40 young MLAs are ready to sacrifice their lives for our leader," he claimed.