Time will reveal if there is change in leadership in Karnataka, says Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar

Amid tussle over leadership in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said, “Time will reveal whether there will be change in the leadership” post the Karnataka Budget presentation scheduled in March first week.

Mr. Shivakumar said this in Mangaluru on February 7 while responding to a question by mediapersons if there will be change in the leadership after the 2026-27 Karnataka budget.

This comes a day after Chief Minister’s son and MLC Yathindra’s yet another assertion that the Congress high command had sent a “clear signal” that there will be no leadership change in the State and Mr. Siddaramaiah will continue in the post.

Responding to this, Mr. Shivakumar on February 6 had said sarcastically, “He (Yathindra) is our high command. I will accept whatever he says with respect. When he has made a statement as if he is the high command, let us accept him as the high command.” He had further said that reaction to the statement, if any, will have to be given by “Delhi authorities”.

On February 7, answering a question his supporters aspiring to see him become the Chief Minister, Mr. Shivakumar said, “People have a dream, the MLAs have a dream, and you (the media) also have a dream. You should listen to what the party says.”

Asked about some Dalit organizations in Chikkamagaluru demanding Home Minister G. Parameshwara be made Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “His fans are eager. There is nothing wrong in it. I can’t say no to that.”

Home Minister reacts

In Mysuru, Mr. Parameshwara asserted that the party high command has found no confusion over leadership, and that Mr. Siddaramaiah will continue as the Chief Minister. He said the high command has not taken any decision regarding a leadership change and denied any knowledge of a power-sharing agreement.

“What I know is that the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has elected him (Mr Siddaramaiah), and he is continuing as the Chief Minister,” Mr. Parameshwara told reporters in Mysuru on February 7.

Reacting to Mr. Yathindra’s statement, he said, “It is his statement. Decisions are taken by the high command, not by me or others.” He said the high command would intervene whenever the situation warranted it. “Perhaps, it has not seen any such situation or necessity now. It may have found no confusion in the party, as it has been watching all developments. If there is confusion, it will respond,” he said.

On sloganeering by supporters of leaders projecting future Chief Ministers, Dr. Parameshwara said such slogans were common. “I have heard slogans in my favour and also in favour of others. That does not mean there is confusion in the party,” he added.

On Namma Metro fare hike

Speaking on Metro fare hike, Mr. Shivakumar said that the government of Karnataka had not been consulted on revision of fares of Namma Metro trains in Bengaluru.

“There is a committee to decide on the metro fare. The committee is headed by a Secretary of the Union Government. We have not been consulted on the hike in fares.”

Mr. Shivakumar said he will discuss the matter in Bengaluru. “We do not want to trouble people (by hiking travel fares). I will review the situation,” he said.

The Deputy CM had arrived in Mangaluru on February 6 to attend some programmes in Dakshina Kannada district. He spoke with reporters on February 7 before leaving for Bengaluru after winding up his visit to the district.