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The Chief Minister described the meeting with Kharge, who returned from New Delhi on Friday evening, as a courtesy call.
On Friday, Siddaramaiah, who is involved in a power struggle with his deputy and Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, insisted that he will continue in the post and will also present the state budget in future. In response, Shivakumar wished him all the best.
Addressing reporters after meeting Kharge on Saturday, Siddaramaiah said, “Apart from the courtesy call, we also discussed the organization and the upcoming local body elections, including the Bengaluru municipal elections.” Asked if there was any discussion on leadership change in the state, the chief minister said, “It is only speculation.” You (media) have created this.” He also said that he did not ask Kharge why some Congress MLAs from Karnataka met him in Delhi.
“If I have to gather information about the reason behind the MLAs meeting Kharge, I will collect it from the intelligence department. I have not asked the MLAs why they had gone there.”
“Let the MLAs go to Delhi. Ultimately, every leader, every minister, even me and DK Shivakumar will have to follow the decision of the party high command,” he said.
Congress sources had earlier said that at least 15 MLAs and about a dozen MLCs have camped in New Delhi to put pressure on the Congress high command to make Shivakumar the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.
According to reports, the demand is based on an alleged power-sharing agreement reached in 2023, under which Siddaramaiah was to serve as CM for two and a half years (till November 2025) before making way for Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy claimed that “explosive developments” are going on in the Congress and the party cadre should be prepared for it.