Bengaluru, 26 April

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision taken by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.

Speaking to reporters after returning from Delhi, the Congress State president said he has full faith in the party leadership and that it would take an appropriate decision at the appropriate time.

The remarks come amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after 4 May, when the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.

"I will not speak about political issues before the media. I have already said that when the time comes, you will get to know. So I will not tell you," Shivakumar said in response to a question on discussions with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit over the last couple of days.

He asserted that there are no issues within the party, and whatever has already been decided will take place accordingly.

Responding to a question on senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement about internal differences, the Deputy CM said, "nothing like that, they (high command) will do what they have to do at the appropriate time."

"There are no issues, we have faith in our party, they will do what they have to," he added.

Asked about the issue of leadership change as the government is about to complete three years in office, Shivakumar said, "... I have never discussed this issue. The CM and I have both said that we will accept whatever and whenever the high command decides, and we will abide by it."

He declined to comment when asked whether any "good news" can be expected by his birthday on May 15.

The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on 20 November 2025.

The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.

Responding to a question on the BJP's criticism against the Congress government over its decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging injustice to several communities and questioning its intent behind the revised quota formula, Shivakumar said the BJP could not do anything on internal reservation while in power, but the Congress has kept its promise.

"We have found a solution and tried to do justice to all sections among SCs. We have fulfilled the promise made, and everyone should go together," he said.

Shivakumar warned his party workers against erecting flex banners for his birthday on 15 May.

"For May 15, I want to tell everyone that no one should put up flex banners or advertisements for my birthday. If flexes are installed, I will ensure that cases are registered by authorities against those responsible, whether they are party workers or followers.... No one should put such things on roads, this is my personal request," he said, adding that he has asked the commissioners of the city corporations to register cases and impose heavy fines.