Seeking to downplay the power tussle within the Congress, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the people of the state have blessed the ruling party for five years and that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will continue functioning as per the directions of the high command.
With supporters hailing him as the 'next Chief Minister' on his arrival here, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, said he does not need anyone's support and will abide by what the party tells him.
"No one should worry; there is no need for any political turn. People have blessed us and given us an opportunity, and we will continue for five years. All the talks going on are without any value. The Chief Minister and I will continue functioning as per the directions of the party," Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question.
When asked about workers or supporters demanding that he should be the next CM, Shivakumar said, "I don't want anyone to demand anything from me; I don't want anyone's support. I do not need any legislator's backing. This is between me and the Congress party. Whatever the Congress party says, I will function accordingly. I don't want workers or legislators to shout for me or stand in my support. I will do my duty."
"I believe in the saying: 'Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana'-make your efforts, and leave the results to God," he added His comments came a day after his cabinet colleague K N Rajanna, who is close to Siddaramaiah, suggested that Shivakumar should aim to become Chief Minister by successfully leading the party in the next elections, rather than aspiring for the top post during the remaining two and a half years of the incumbent government.
There was a buzz at the Congress post Siddaramaiah's recent dinner with selective Dalit and Scheduled Tribe Cabinet colleagues for a possible leadership change in Karnataka. There's talk of some "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula likely to be set in motion post March.
There was an all-out competition for the Chief Minister's post after the election results in the May 2023 Assembly elections. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah had put in all they could, where finally, Shivakumar succumbed to Congress pressure to agree to the position of Deputy Chief Minister. Initially, reports did state that Shivakumar will become the Chief Minister after two and a half years, considering it a rotational chief minister formula, but so far, there has been no statement from the party to this regard.
Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, has been vocal about his aspiration to become Chief Minister.
A meeting of Congress leaders, ministers, and lawmakers from SC/ST communities, scheduled for Wednesday evening under the leadership of Home Minister G Parameshwara and supported by K N Rajanna, was postponed following instructions from AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Sources indicate that the postponement came after Shivakumar, a strong contender for the CM post, met AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal in New Delhi on Monday night to discuss party developments.
A section of the Congress has apparently felt that the proposed SC/ST conference and Parameshwara's event would revive demands for a Chief Minister from Dalit or the AHINDA segment. This bodes ill for Shivakumar, who now has to fear the possibility that Siddaramaiah may, after presenting his budget, follow suit.
Addressing criticism from the media and opposition leaders over his recent temple visits being labelled a "temple run," Shivakumar said, "I do puja every day. I believe in dharma. For my wellness and the wellness of the state, society, and the people who believe in me, I pray. It is each one's personal belief."
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