“I Have No Other Option but to Support Siddaramaiah”: DK Shivakumar Responds Sarcastically
BM TEAM
“I Have
Bengaluru/Chikkaballapur: In response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assertion that he will serve the full five-year term, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — a key aspirant to the CM post — has stated that he has no objections and will fully support Siddaramaiah’s leadership.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in a sardonic style, Shivakumar said, “I have no alternative. I must support him and abide by the directions of the Congress high command.”
Shivakumar was in Nandi Hills to attend a cabinet meeting when he made the remarks. “What choice do I have? There is no other path. I stand behind Siddaramaiah and support him. I have no objection to him continuing as Chief Minister. I will follow whatever the party high command decides,” he said.
Responding to a reporter’s question about his supporters pitching his name for the CM post due to his role in strengthening the party, Shivakumar said, “Am I the only one who built the party? There are hundreds, thousands, even lakhs who contributed. First, let us maintain their trust.”
Reinforcing the importance of party discipline, the KPCC President clarified that he had never asked anyone to project him as the Chief Minister and warned that those making public statements about leadership changes would be issued notices.
In fact, Ramnagara Congress MLA H.A. Iqbal Hussain, who had recently made such a statement in support of Shivakumar for the CM post, has already received a show-cause notice.
“I have issued him a notice, and others may receive notices as well. Discipline is crucial. I haven’t asked anyone to propose my name for the Chief Minister’s post. I don’t need that. While Siddaramaiah is the CM, there’s no room for conflicting opinions,” Shivakumar told the media