Mangaluru/ Mysuru, 7 Feb

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said time will answer as to when he will become Chief Minister. However, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the High Command has no reason to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Asked by reporters in Mangaluru on Saturday if he will become Chief Minister after the State Budget, Shivakumar said: “Time will answer”.

Siddaramaiah, who also hold the finance portfolio, has repeatedly asserted that he will present his record 17th Budget as the CM. The Budget is expected to be presented in March. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have allegedly been locked in a power tussle for the top post.

However, Shivakumar asserted that he will abide by Congress High Command’s decision.

"People, legislators, you (media), and everyone have the desire, but we should all abide by what the party says,” Shivakumar said.

Responding to a question about some dalit organisations demanding that Home Minister G Parameshwara should become the CM, during his visit to Chikkamagaluru, he said, "what's wrong in it?"

Parameshwara, meanwhile, said Siddaramaiah will be the Chief Minister until the High Command decides that there is a need for a change.

"The High Command is watching everything,” he said in Mysuru. “When they feel there is a need, they will decide. They may be of the opinion that there is no such situation now, hence they have not said anything so far on the issue".

Asked whether Siddaramaiah will be the CM for a full five-year term, he said, "Who made Siddaramaiah the CM? It is the High Command, and until the High Command says that Siddaramaiah will remain in the post".

The power tussle had heated up over an alleged power sharing agreement between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. According to reports, Shivakumar would become the Chief Minister after the party completed two-and-a-half years in power.