'I was elected for five years': Siddaramaiah dismisses power-sharing talks

Siddaramaiah on Friday dismissed talks about power-sharing in the State and said he was elected for a five-year term.

While he was replying to a debate on issues concerning North Karnataka in the Legislative Assembly, Siddaramaiah said he had never mentioned that he would be the Chief Minister for only two-and-a-half years. “I have completed a five-year term once. I am the Chief Minister now. I believe, the high command is my favour. I will continue till the high command orders," he said when Opposition BJP members asked him if the government's promises made for North Karnataka would be fulfilled during his tenure.

The Chief Minister clarified that there was no power-sharing deal about serving for two-and-a half years.

"People have given us a mandate. The MLAs in the legislature party chose me (as its leader) and then the high command agreed," Siddaramaiah said.

When Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka sought know if the Congress Legislature Party had chosen him as leader for five years or two-and-a-half years, the Chief Minister said, "There was no decision on two-and-a half years".

Replying to BJP member V Sunil Kumar, Siddaramaiah reiterated, "I have been chosen for five years. I will continue till the high command orders."

The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculations about a change in Chief Minister in the State, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The speculation was fuelled by a rumoured "power-sharing" pact between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar when the government was formed in 2023.

However, both Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which was seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation in the post for the time being, especially ahead of the legislature session that began in Belagavi on December 8.

In the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday, responding to comments by Opposition members, Siddaramaiah said, "Even now I will say it. I am Chief Minister and I will remain Chief Minister."

On Thursday, Siddaramaiah took part in a dinner hosted by senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi, which was also attended by Ministers G Parameshwara, H C Mahadevappa, B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, and M C Sudhakar, and MLA A S Ponnanna. All of them are considered close to Siddaramaiah.