"No change of leadership": DK Shivakumar nip sepculations in the bud

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 1 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday attempted to cap speculations on possible leadership change in the State, including the removal of Chief Minister Siddaramiah, asserting that his priority remains to help partymen win the Assembly elections.
"There is no change of leadership. I don't want anyone's support. My priority is for them (the party legislators) to win back the assembly elections," Shivakumar told ANI.
Reiterating that Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala's meeting with party MLAs today was not on the subject of changing leadership in Karnataka, the Deputy Chief Minister clarified that there were no groups in Congress and everyone stood united. He said that Congress would instead focus on the upcoming elections in the state.
"I don't want any recommendation from party legislators. My duty is to keep the party alive, give more strength to the discipline of the party. We have to concentrate on local body elections and the 2028 assembly elections...This exercise is not for a change. I am not for a change. There are no groups in the Congress party, we are united," Shivakumar said.
He warned the Congress MLAs pushing for a change in party's state leadership that action will be taken against them if they continue to "speak more" over this issue.
"I don't want any MLAs to speak, the party high command will definitely take action against those who speak more. I don't want anyone to support or shout at me, we will discuss and sort out the problems," Shivakumar said.
Speaking on the railway fare hike, Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar said, "I want (Karnataka Assembly LoP) R Ashok and (Karnataka BJP President) BY Vijayendra to react to it. They should tell about their party. The central government is continually increasing the prices of petrol, diesel, and now the railway fare...It is our duty to stand by the common man.".
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary incharge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala who is visiting the State to hold separate meetings with party legislators categorically rejected the change in party leadership in the State.
"Some of you asked me a question, 'Are you taking opinions on the leadership change'? The answer I had given yesterday. I am answering again today. The answer is clearly no, in one word," Surjewala told reporters at a press conference here.
Earlier, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge clarified that there is "no discontentment", "no talks of change in CM's face", asserting that Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar his deputy and party's Karnataka unit President.
Speaking to ANI on Monday, Kharge said, "When the High Command has clearly stated, there is nothing of that sort in the decision-making process, then it doesn't matter who says what. Everyone's roles have been very well defined. Siddaramaiah is the CM, DK Shivakumar is the PCC President and the Deputy CM."
He also stated that everyone has a right to voice their concerns at an appropriate forum and advised the disgruntled legislators to speak to the Party High Command.
This comes after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge earlier said that the decision to change the Chief Minister was in the hands of the party high command.
"It is in the hands of the party high command. No one can say what is going on in the high command. It is left to the high command, and they have the right to take further action, but no one should create problems unnecessarily," he said. (ANI)