Overview
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked the Congress leadership to “put a full stop” to speculation over a leadership change and said he will follow whatever is decided.
- Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he has not asked to be made chief minister and described the debate as a “secret deal” among a few senior leaders.
- A third group of Congress MLAs backing Shivakumar has traveled to New Delhi to press the high command, with names including HC Balakrishna, KM Uday, Nayana Motamma, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bachegowda and Shivaganga Basavaraj reported by party sources.
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge declined public comment and reiterated that any decision on Karnataka’s leadership will be taken by the party high command.
- Party insiders say Siddaramaiah is pushing a cabinet reshuffle while Shivakumar’s camp seeks clarity on leadership first, and approval of a reshuffle would be read as a sign the chief minister will complete the full term.