Bengaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar‘s visit to New Delhi renewed speculation over a reported CM-switch arrangement, even as both he and chief minister Siddaramaiah sought to downplay the issue, reiterating that the Congress high command’s decision would be final. Shivakumar, also Karnataka Congress president, arrived in the national capital Tuesday but did not discuss the reported pact of a transition with party brass. However, he attended a high-level strategy meeting on assembly elections in Assam. Senior Congress functionaries including Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel were present. Shivakumar could not meet AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, or organisational general secretary KC Venugopal as they were busy with the ongoing Parliament session. However, he is expected to meet Venugopal on Wednesday. But his trip has reignited exchanges between camps in Karnataka Congress. Prior to leaving for Delhi, Shivakumar said he had “no confusion” on the issue. “Siddaramaiah and I know what we discussed. We did not talk about it in hiding. Senior functionaries were present. There is no use of anyone issuing statements,” he said. Asked about speculation that he would bring “good news” from Delhi, he said, “Every day is a good day for me, a good life, a good beginning, a day of success; every day is a difficult day. Nothing is easy. If we are to solve people’s problems, there will always be difficulties, obstacles, and complications. Criticism will keep coming but we must continue our work.” Siddaramaiah also refused to comment on the issue. “You can ask him (Shivakumar). I won’t talk about it (transition). I will obey whatever the high command says,” he told reporters. He also said party functionaries must stop commenting on the issue. “Party president Mallikarjun Kharge has asked us to shut up. We must obey. Statements being issued in favour of me or against me by MLAs, ministers or anybody else are not in the interests of the party. They only damage the party,” he said. In Delhi, Shivakumar echoed that message, urging party functionaries to refrain from public comments. Siddaramaiah also said Shivakumar had sought permission to skip pre-budget meetings since he had to be in Delhi.
