D K Shivakumar Responds to Yathindra on Chief Minister Future

D K Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, has responded to recent statements made by MLC Yathindra regarding the future leadership position of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister. Yathindra mentioned that Congress' high command has signalled its approval for Siddaramaiah to continue in the role for the entirety of the current term.

Shivakumar expressed his respect for Yathindra’s statements, stating, “He is our high command. Whatever he says, I accept it with respect. Let us accept him as high command when he issues statements like a high command.” This highlights a sense of loyalty and alignment within the party amid ongoing discussions about leadership.

When queried about a comment made by MLA Basavaraju, who sought clarification regarding the terms of the power-sharing agreement, Shivakumar chose not to engage. He remarked, “I will not respond to the statements of Basavaraju or Yathindra. If any response is to be given, it should come from the high command in Delhi.” This indicates a continuation of internal party protocol, whereby significant decisions and communications should be addressed by the party leadership in the national capital.

Shivakumar also mentioned his initiative to lay foundation stones for 100 new Congress offices in Karnataka during March. He stated, “Whether the All India Congress Committee gives dates or not, I will make all the preparations and begin the work.” His commitment to infrastructure development within the party aims to strengthen its presence in the state.

Shivakumar was speaking to the media at Mangaluru International Airport, where he also announced plans to participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Congress Bhavana in Puttur. He emphasised, “On March 10, I will complete six years as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. We are initiating the construction work.”

In response to allegations regarding the exclusion of Muslims from the invitation list for the Puttur event, Shivakumar asserted that the Congress party does not practice caste-based politics. He stated, “We believe in ideology. We need people from all castes and religions. We do not practice politics based on caste and religion. Dharma should be in politics, but politics should not be in dharma. This is our party’s ideology.” He described such allegations as being motivated by jealousy. These comments reflect the party's commitment to inclusivity and its broader political philosophy, distinct from identity-based politics prevalent in some circles.

Through these interactions, Shivakumar continues to position himself and the Congress party as a unified front, focused on development and community representation in Karnataka, while asserting the importance of established leadership and procedural communication within the party ranks.