Belagavi, Dec 9 (LatestNewsX) – Amid a swirl over who will steer Karnataka, Deputy CM and Congress state president D.K. Shivakumar insisted that the party remains united, with no rifts between himself and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“We never had a disagreement, there isn’t one now, and there won’t be any later,” he told reporters when they asked whether the latest remarks by CM Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Yathindra, had stirred up confusion.
Addressing Yathindra’s claim that the Congress high‑command had rejected Shivakumar’s candidacy for chief ministership and that Siddaramaiah would continue for the full term, Shivakumar said, “I’m still not sure what he means, but I will speak to him about it.”
When questioned about when the high‑command might summon him to Delhi, Shivakumar admitted he didn’t know and would not disclose the date.
He also said the decision to issue a notice to Yathindra over his repeated CM‑post comments would be deferred to a later discussion.
Earlier that day, after Yathindra insisted Siddaramaiah would finish his five‑year term and that the central leadership had declined Shivakumar’s bid, Shivakumar expressed relief, saying, “Very happy. Let everything be good for the state.”
Upon arriving at Sambra Airport in Belagavi for the winter session of the legislature, his supporters chanted “Shivakumar next CM.” That rally followed Yathindra’s comment on Monday that Siddaramaiah would complete his tenure.
Meanwhile, Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi posted on social media welcoming the Deputy CM to Belagavi and mistakenly referred to him as “Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.” The post was later deleted, and Channaraj’s sister, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, confirmed it was an accident, adding, “My brother and I are disciplined soldiers of the party, and we will not violate any orders of the high command.”
Channaraj told reporters that when both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had already pledged to follow the high‑command’s decisions, Yathindra’s remarks were unnecessary; “If the high command says it will take the appropriate decision, we should wait.”
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy echoed that there is no confusion in the party and that the central leadership’s conclusions are final. When asked why no action had been taken against Yathindra for his repeated statements on leadership, the minister emphasized the need for cautious, responsible public communication.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah had earlier declared that those predicting a change in the chief‑minister’s post were “dreaming.” He reiterated that Congress has made clear that the leadership will remain unchanged in the state. He said, “Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated he is a potential successor, but the high‑command has clarified this is not the right time and confirmed there will be no change.” He added, “The matter ends there; there is no more tussle. Opposition parties are spreading rumors for no reason.”
When pressed on rumors that Siddaramaiah might be asked to resign after the Belagavi session, Yathindra dismissed them as long‑standing fantasies, insisting, “They keep saying the CM will be replaced every year—surely they’re fantasizing.”
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