Bengaluru, 20 Dec 

Amid renewed speculation over the leadership issue in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said the Congress high command has informed him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that they would be called to Delhi at an “appropriate time” to discuss the matter.

Responding to questions about a possible visit to the national capital following the conclusion of the legislature session, Shivakumar said both leaders would go together once summoned by the party leadership.

"I will inform you, I won't do anything without informing you. I will not go hiding from you," he told reporters.

Asked whether the high command had formally invited them to Delhi, Shivakumar said, "they have told something to both of us, they have told both of us over phone as to when they will call us. We will go, both of us will go."

"They (high command) have said they will call both of us at the appropriate time; we will wait for the call," the Karnataka Congress chief added.

Shivakumar’s remarks came a day after Siddaramaiah asserted in the Assembly that he would continue as Chief Minister and said the Congress high command was “in my favour”. Siddaramaiah also dismissed speculation that he would step down after two-and-a-half years as part of a power-sharing arrangement.

The leadership issue has resurfaced as the Congress government in Karnataka crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of a possible change at the top based on a reported agreement reached in 2023.

Earlier, Shivakumar had said that he and Siddaramaiah had arrived at an understanding with the involvement of the party high command and that both would abide by it.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar said he would visit Delhi on Tuesday to meet Union ministers in connection with water-related issues. "the central government's water resources department has called us regarding interlinking of rivers," he said.

"I will go there and discuss matters related to the state's river projects like Mahadayi, Krishna water award, Mekedatu, and Upper Badhra."

Targeting the Centre over the replacement of MGNREGA, Shivakumar accused it of insulting Mahatma Gandhi and said, "The country wants Gandhi. People of the country will respond to it."

"They want to change Gandhi's name...let them change this picture of Gandhi also," he said, displaying a currency note.