Delhi, 9 March

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said he cannot publicly disclose details of the meetings he holds during his visits to the national capital.

Speaking to reporters at Karnataka Bhawan in New Delhi, he said he had travelled to Delhi on Sunday to attend a wedding in a friend’s family.

Asked about completing six years as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president on Tuesday, Shivakumar said he would host a dinner for ministers, MLAs and MLCs. “I will organise another dinner later for defeated candidates, district presidents and block presidents,” he added.

When asked about speculation surrounding his Delhi visits, he said there was no need for discussions.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi has triggered fresh speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka after the Budget Session of the Legislature, which is scheduled to conclude on 27 March.

According to party sources, Shivakumar travelled to Delhi with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge from Kalaburagi on Sunday evening after attending a programme to launch development projects worth Rs 1,069 crore at Chittapur.

Amid ongoing speculation over the chief minister’s post, Siddaramaiah recently said he could continue and present two more budgets if given the opportunity by the party High Command.