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Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar put an end to the speculation by saying there will be no change in leadership and he does not want anyone to support him
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said he will issue a notice to Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain. (Image: PTI/File)
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday ended speculation over a leadership change in the state, hinting at a climbdown with a strong statement that “nobody needs to fear” him.
There had been talks of a power-sharing agreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for some time but had subsided following clear instructions from the Congress high command.
This fresh round was triggered after Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain claimed that Shivakumar, popularly known as DKS, may get an opportunity to become chief minister in two to three months. Cooperation minister KN Rajanna also hinted at “revolutionary” political developments in the state after September.
But, DKS put an end to the power change buzz by saying there will be no change in leadership and he does not want anyone to support him.
“Nobody needs to fear. We are undertaking an organisational revamp at the block and zilla levels across the country,” Shivakumar said. “We are listening to the statements made by various MLAs. There is a need to bring discipline into the party. Discipline is important.”
#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, “…My duty is to give more strength to the discipline of the party. We have to concentrate on the local body elections and the 2028 assembly elections…There are no groups in the Congress party, we are united…”He… pic.twitter.com/QXFkkCIJDO— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2025
Referring to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s announcement of an organisational revamp across India, Shivakumar said all district presidents have been called and consulted about their needs, responsibilities, infrastructure requirements, and on how to give a fresh look to the organisation.
“…Every leader will be spoken to, and local teams will be sent across the state. There is no talk of any leadership change. There is nothing else. For me, 2028 is important,” he said.
He further said he will issue a notice to Hussain, adding that, whether HC Balakrishna or BR Patil, nobody should go before the media.
“It’s our government’s duty to stand by the common man…there is no leadership change, I don’t want anyone to support me,” he added.
WHAT IS THE CONGRESS SAYING?
In the wake of internal bickering in the state unit over the matter, Congress general secretary incharge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, is visiting the state to hold separate meetings with party legislators.
Surjewala ruled out gathering any opinion on leadership change. He said he has been meeting the MLAs and MPs to understand the work done by them in their constituencies.
“Some of you asked me if I am taking an opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today – the answer is clearly ‘no’ in one word,” Surjewala said during a press conference.
Flanked by Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka state chief, Surjewala said he had a meeting with the party MLAs, MPs, MLCs and party candidates who contested the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
“We are meeting the MLAs and MPs. We are trying to understand what work they have done in their constituencies. It’s important to review their performance,” he said.
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More
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