Bengaluru, 11 July

In the wake of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserting that he would complete his five years’ tenure, his deputy DK Shivakumar on Friday said the CM has replied to all the questions on the matter.

"The Chief Minister has already answered all your questions. It’s not appropriate for me to keep repeating the same, and it’s not right for you to keep asking," Shivakumar told reporters at the City airport, upon his return from New Delhi.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in the national capital to meet the Congress High Command earlier this week.

“Why are you (pointing to reporters) panicking about our internal matters when we are not?" Shivakumar quipped.

Asked about the alleged support for him within the party to take over as CM, Shivakumar said, "Leave it. Many of you have aspirations too." He declined to comment further on questions about leadership change.

"I’m not going to answer any of your questions at this point," he said.

"We discussed appointments of party workers as chairpersons and members of boards and corporations. Since all MLAs have submitted their opinions, we’re now in the final stages. One more round of discussions with the high command will help finalise the names," he said.

Later, speaking at a party event to welcome new leaders into the Congress fold, he said, “What Congress has given me is not important and don’t ask questions like it did not make me a member, Chairman, Minister, Chief Minister, Central Minister or Governor. What is significant is that it has given us strength to speak”.

On Thursday, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Delhi that there was "no vacancy" for the top post.

FRUITFUL IRRIGATION DISCUSSIONS

Shivakumar described his visit as “fruitful” on irrigation issues.

“Union Jal Shakthi Minister has assured us that our request for funds for Yettinahole drinking water project would be considered positively,” he said, “It was a fruitful meeting….  We discussed many aspects with Union Jal Shakthi Minister CR Patil, including releasing the gazette notification for increasing the height of Almatti dam and approvals for Mekedatu project.”

“We also had a discussion with Union Minister for Environment Bhupendra Yadav on environmental clearance for Kalasa-Bhanduri project. He has suggested an amicable solution between the two States. We have moved Supreme Court as Goa can’t object for this project,” he explained.

“We have also submitted proposals for new projects as well. I will travel to Delhi during the Monsoon session and discuss with our MPs how we can exert pressure on the government on these aspects.”