'Shivakumar will be CM when high command decides...': Siddaramaiah
What's the story
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said he and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are ready to take on a possible no-confidence motion from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The assurance came after their second breakfast meeting on Tuesday, which was also attended by former Karnataka MP DK Suresh and MLA Ranganath, India Today reported. "We will face it unitedly," Siddaramaiah said, emphasizing that Congress MLAs are united and would follow the decisions of the High Command.
Strategic planning
Siddaramaiah outlines Congress's strategy for upcoming Assembly session
Siddaramaiah revealed that the Congress has prepared a strategy for the upcoming Assembly session starting December 8. He said they are ready to counter any moves by the BJP or Janata Dal (Secular) leaders, such as HD Kumaraswamy and R Ashoka. "Farmers' issues and other key matters in the state would be taken up for detailed discussion," he added.
Centre's silence
Siddaramaiah criticizes Centre's lack of communication
Siddaramaiah also criticized the central government for not addressing pending concerns. "The Centre is speaking as if they have no responsibility to answer us," the Chief Minister said. He said a meeting of Karnataka Members of Parliament will be held on December 8 in Delhi to raise these issues with the Union Government. "The Centre is speaking as if they have no responsibility to answer us," he said.
Leadership support
Siddaramaiah confirms support for Shivakumar's potential CM role
DK Shivakumar said he had invited the Chief Minister to his residence and that the two leaders "cordially had breakfast." When asked about Shivakumar becoming Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah replied, "When the High Command says DK will become Chief Minister." "All our MLAs are united. We will unitedly face the Opposition," he reiterated.
Meeting readiness
Shivakumar expresses readiness to meet high command
Shivakumar also expressed his willingness to meet the central leadership. "The High Command should call us. We will go," he said. However, top Karnataka Congress sources indicated no movement on any changes in the state's power structure. The report stated that Shivakumar has not been given an audience with the High Command and quoted sources advising him against traveling to Delhi as Parliament is in session.