Bengaluru, 1 July

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he would abide by the decision of Congress high command on the issue of leadership change, amid a political tussle within the ruling party.

A Vokkaliga seer last week publicly requested Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for his Deputy DK Shivakumar.

“It is not a matter to be discussed in public,” Siddaramaiah told reporters when asked about Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Mutt seer Chandrashekhara Swami's appeal.

“I don’t want to comment on what Swamiji says. Ours is a national party. There is a high command,” he added.

There have also been demands by some Ministers perceived to be close to Siddaramaiah to create more posts of Deputy Chief Minister and given to leaders from Lingayat, SC, ST, and minority communities. The move is seen in some quarters as an attempt to clip the political wings of Shivakumar, who is also the State party chief.

Refrain from comments on leadership issue: DKS to Cong leaders

Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, is currently the only Deputy Chief Minister.

There was reportedly stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May last year, and Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula. PTI

Fake news can cause trouble in society:  CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday underlined the need to check the spread of fake news as it can cause trouble in the society.

Speaking at an event organised by the Press Club of Bangalore, he said media should be used only for spreading truth and not falsehood.

“Society will benefit if the media including the social media is used for telling the truth; spreading fake news can cause trouble in the society,” he said.

He noted that his government has taken the menace of fake news seriously and has set up fact-check units in every district.