Power-sharing deal? High command will decide, says CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday pointed towards the Congress high command when asked if he had a power-sharing agreement with his deputy D K Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah’s response only added to the uncertainty surrounding his tenure. 

In December, Siddaramaiah said there was no power-sharing agreement. But on Tuesday, he said: “The high command will finally decide. Whatever the high command decides will apply to all.” 

According to the rumoured power-sharing agreement, Siddaramaiah will make way for Shivakumar to become the CM at an appointed time. 

Siddaramaiah also maintained distance from the ongoing rift between Shivakumar and Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna. 

“I don’t want to say anything controversial. Both of them -- Shivakumar and Rajanna -- have expressed their opinions. Let’s see,” Siddaramaiah said.  When asked about choosing four nominees for the Legislative Council, Siddaramaiah said the process was delayed due to his leg pain. “As soon as I’m fine, we’ll do it,” he said. There is tremendous pressure on Congress from candidates eyeing the four vacant MLC positions. 

On his visit to New Delhi to meet the Congress top brass, he said: “Either I’ll go or they’ll come here.” 

Leaders meet Kharge

Amid infighting in the ruling Congress, some party leaders called on their national president Mallikarjun Kharge at his Sadashivanagar residence. Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, CM’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, former Bangalore Rural MP D K Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath met Kharge separately. Suresh said he did not discuss politics with Kharge.