‘Party will take call’: DK Shivakumar sidesteps CM question amid fresh buzz over ‘chair’ comment

Following the Congress’ victory in the May 2023 Assembly elections, there had been intense competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said that the Congress party’s priority in the state is to reclaim power in 2028 and not to indulge in discussing about the chief minister’s role in public.

His comments have come in the wake of the ongoing speculations regarding leadership change in Karnataka, even as both him and the chief minister Siddaramaiah have denied any such move.

Responding to a question on Karnataka CM post, Shivakumar said, “Nothing is being discussed now. The party will take its call at the right time. This is an issue that should not be discussed in the media. First of all, our job is to bring the party back to power in 2028.”

However, a cryptic remark made by the deputy chief minister involving “chairs” has raised fresh speculations over power tussle in the state. While inaugurating the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations organised by the Bangalore Bar Association on Friday, Shivakumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, "It is difficult to find a chair. When you find a chair, you have to come and sit on the raft."

"There are so many chairs, come and sit. It is difficult to find a chair. When you find a chair, you have to come and sit on the raft. If you look at yourself, you look like tyagis," he said, addressing lawyers present at the event.

Following the Congress’ victory in the May 2023 Assembly elections, there had been intense competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post. Reports at the time suggested that they agreed upon a rotational CM formula, under which Shivakumar would take over after two-and-a-half years, in November 2025. However, the party has never confirmed such an agreement.

On Thursday, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Delhi that there was "no vacancy" for the top post when asked about speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka.

"Is there any vacancy for the chief ministership? I am very much here before you. I am the Chief Minister of Karnataka. That is what Shivakumar has said, and I am also saying it... There is no vacancy," he added.

He also pointed out that Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, had categorically denied any leadership change, and that Shivakumar had echoed the same.