DK Shivakumar’s meeting with the High Command adds to the suspense

Amidst speculation about power-sharing in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday stated that the Chief Minister’s post was not discussed in his meeting with Congress leaders at the AICC. He further stated that senior leaders will make a decision when it is appropriate for the state. Speaking at a press conference in the national capital, Shivakumar said, “We were not discussing this. The party has a vision. All our senior leaders will take a decision at an appropriate time in the best interest of Karnataka.” The tussle over leadership within the Karnataka Congress began in November last year, when the government had completed half of its five-year term. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, as well as Home Minister G Parameshwara, are in the running for the Chief Minister’s post. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said the discussions focused on political matters, but declined to provide details of the meetings. After the AICC meeting, Shivakumar told reporters, “I don’t think I need to disclose who I met inside 10 Janpath. We’re not prepared to discuss politics on the streets. We met with our high command and discussed important issues. After I arrived, we discussed many topics; I don’t need to disclose them. We came here to discuss political issues, not just to breathe.” Meanwhile, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, said the ongoing debate between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar over the chief minister’s post reflects the struggle between the party’s old and new factions. He told reporters, “The same questions have been raised for the last two years… Who will become the chief minister? Siddaramaiah or D.K. Shivakumar? We’ve heard talk of a 50-50 government… Two and a half years have passed. Last November has also passed… This is a fight between the old Congress and the new Congress. Siddaramaiah is a new Congressman. D.K. Shivakumar is an old Congressman. Who will get the post?”