Bengaluru, 29 Nov

Amid the lingering power tussle in the State, Congress leader M Veerappa Moily expressed concern over the delay in resolving the issue and said the party leadership should step in immediately.

Moily, a former union minister, said that the party's "totally internal problem has blown up and now the castes have taken over, the Swamijis have taken over".

Vokkaliga pontiffs had supported Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar while AHINDA groups backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

“I think the High Command should immediately step in now and stop this. Whether to change the CM or appoint a new one, or whatever it is, this has to be done internally," Moily said on Friday.

He also opposed "so-called 50-50 formula", saying it hasn't helped Congress but added that if such a commitment has been made, it should be honoured. "Silence is disastrous. They (Congress High Command) need to step forward and say don't continue this kind of lobbying.”

Meanwhile, after meet Siddaramaiah for breakfast, Shivakumar called said the State should stand united against the Centre.

“There are some big issues that the Parliament members need to raise in this (Winter) Session,” he said on Saturday. “Whatever they (Central government) have promised on sugarcane, maize issues and many other programs, they are not helping the State. The other day, the Chief Minister also met the Prime Minister and gave a representation. Dinesh (Gundu Rao) also requested the Prime Minister on this issue. So we are going to tell our Parliament members, don't waste your time... You have to go (to Delhi) together."

He also said the government would submit a renewed Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu Project after the Supreme Court hearing. He added that the ball now lies with the Central government.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar’s brother and former MLA DK Suresh said there was no talks of a power sharing agreement.

“Both leaders clearly said so,” he said in New Delhi. “There was no talk of power sharing, so we don't need to discuss it again.”