Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence here, leading to speculations linking it to the ongoing power tussle in the state for the CM post.
However, speaking to reporters later, Shivakumar said he did not discuss anything political and has only shared his thoughts with the Congress president, as a state unit chief, regarding the law enacted by the centre replacing the MGNREGA, ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting on December 27.
He said he has not discussed any other issue with Kharge adding, “There is no need to do it, I will not do it, there is no such thing for now. Siddaramaiah and I have said that we will work abiding by the high command’s decision, and we are committed to it.”
Responding to a question on his statement that he will remain a party worker, Shivakumar said, what he meant was being a lifetime member of the party and serving the organisation, irrespective of the post or the position he holds.
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 meeting with the AICC chief has gained significance as Kharge on Sunday had said that the confusion over the leadership issue in the party’s Karnataka unit exists only at the local level and not in the party’s high command.
Kharge had also said that the local leaders should take ownership of the internal disputes rather than blaming the high command.
Asked about Kharge’s statement, Shivakumar said, “As a senior leader, he has given his guidance.”
Kharge’s statement had come at a time when it was widely expected in the Congress and the political circles that the party high command would call both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, to put an end to the leadership issue in the state, after the legislature session concluded on December 19.
Asked whether he will be going to Delhi, the Deputy CM said that he has no such plans, and if there is any work or if he is called by the party, he will go.
“If I’m called, I will go. I have not been called so far,” he said.
When told that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been invited for the CWC meeting, Shivakumar said, “Maybe. I’m aware that three CMs (from Congress-ruled states) have been invited. Deputy CMs have not been called. State Congress Presidents are only called for the extended working committee meeting.”
