I will be Karnataka CM for five years, says Siddaramaiah amid buzz of leadership change in Congress

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.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday he would remain at the helm for the full-term of this government while his deputy D K Shivakumar pivoted towards a ceasefire by saying he had no option but to support the incumbent.

When pointedly asked by reporters if he would complete his full-term as CM, Siddaramaiah said: “Yes. Why do you doubt it?”

The Congress, Siddaramaiah said, will stay in power for five years “strong like a rock”.

Shivakumar, who is eyeing the chief minister’s chair, said: “What option do I have? I have to stand by and support [Siddaramaiah]. I don’t have any objection to it. Whatever the party high command says, whatever it desires, will be fulfilled.”

This is how the latest war between the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps -- erupting amid buzz about a change in leadership later this year -- culminated.

It is said that ending the row was important for Shivakumar to ensure that he does not come across as desperate to become the CM.

Much to the chagrin of the Shivakumar camp, Siddaramaiah’s followers kept up their narrative that there would be no change in leadership, effectively suggesting political stability in the administration. However, the messaging from the Shivakumar camp ran the risk of creating bad optics, in that Siddaramaiah would be ‘forced’ to go, resulting in political uncertainty.

Unconvinced, the BJP maintained that a chief ministerial change would happen later this year.

“Let Shivakumar officially declare that Siddaramaiah will be the CM until 2028. We will accept it as the sixth ‘guarantee’ and keep quiet,” Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said.

“The government lacks funds, development is stagnant, MLAs are frustrated and the public has lost confidence,” he said.

Ashoka even claimed that Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala was meeting MLAs to tell them that they should accept whatever the high command decided on changing the CM.

Siddaramaiah fumed when asked about the BJP’s insistence that he would be replaced. “Are BJP leaders our high command? They are day-dreaming.”

The CM asked the BJP to explain what it did when it was in government. “What did they do? Nothing! They just keep lying and misleading people,” he said. “Did you see our event at Hosapete to mark two years of our government? Over three lakh people came despite rains. Did they come without reason?” he said.