"Will discuss with Kharge, if he calls for meeting": HK Patil on tussle over Karnataka CM post

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 27 (ANI): Amid speculation over the Karnataka Chief Ministerial post, Karnataka Minister HK Patil on Thursday said that he will discuss the matter with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge if he calls him for a meeting.
Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier stated that a decision regarding the power tussle in the state will be made after a discussion among the high command, CM Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
Speaking to ANI, HK Patil said, "If he calls, we will sit and discuss with him. Wherever high command calls, we will have to go."
The speculation stirred as the Karnataka government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge stated that the decision regarding the CM post will be a collective one.
"I will call everyone and have a discussion. Rahul Gandhi will also remain present in that discussion. Other members will also remain present. CM and Dy CM will also remain present. The decision will be made after a discussion with all of these. There is a team. I am not alone. The entire high command team will discuss and make a decision," he told reporters.
Earlier today, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar shared a social media post amid speculation of a power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah, reiterating, "Keeping one's word is the greatest strength in the world."
In the X post, which is speculatively directed at the Congress high command, DK Shivakumar asked everyone, including himself, to keep their promises.
The post read, "Word power is world power. The biggest force in the world was to keep one's word. Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk."
Amidst the political chaos in Karnataka, DK Shivakumar has also sought a meeting with senior party leader Sonia Gandhi on November 29 to discuss the ongoing issues. (ANI)