‘What option do I have?': DK Shivakumar walks tightrope; backs CM Siddaramaiah amid pressure from loyalists eyeing top post
"Yes, I'll be there for 5 years. Why do you have doubts," Siddaramaiah said when asked if he'd step down to make way for Shivakumar. He was speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura district, about 60km from Bengaluru.
Reacting to the CM's assertion, Shivakumar said, "What options do I have? I have to stand by him, support him (Siddaramaiah). I don't have any objection to it. Whatever the party high command says and desires, it will be fulfilled."
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About pressure from his supporters to take over the top post, Shivakumar said, "I don't want to discuss anything. Lakhs of workers have supported this party. It is not only DK Shivakumar. In a democracy, every MLA of the ruling party has the right to aspire to become a minister. We have 142 MLAs, but only 34 have been inducted into the cabinet. As per constitutional provisions, only 15% of the total MLAs can be appointed ministers.
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Siddaramaiah reiterated the Congress govt would serve a full term. "Our govt is united. I have already addressed this matter in Mysuru. Our govt is rock solid." On ministerial ambitions within the Congress, Siddaramaiah said, "The high command will ultimately decide. Can everybody be made a minister?"
BJP sees CM's exit by Nov
BJP claimed a leadership change in is imminent by Oct or Nov. "A change in the CM's position is certain... Ideally, the party high command should have clarified that Siddaramaiah will remain CM for five years and not the CM himself," said opposition leader R Ashoka.
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