Power-sharing agreement in place, says Dy.CM D K Shivakumar

Gokarna

Deputy Chief Minister (Dy.CM) D K Shivakumar on Friday said that an agreement on power sharing has been reached between Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah and himself, asserting that both leaders would abide by the understanding brokered by the party high command.

Speaking to reporters in Gokarna, Shivakumar said the Congress high command had forged an agreement between the two leaders and made it clear that both would function in accordance with the party’s directions. “The CM and I have reached an agreement. The high command has forged this agreement, and both of us will go by it,” he said.

Responding to questions on CM Siddaramaiah’s recent statement that there was no agreement on a change of leadership after two-and-a-half years, Shivakumar said he had never claimed that Siddaramaiah would not continue for the full five-year term. He also underlined that Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister because he enjoyed the support of the Congress high command. “I have never said the high command is not with him. He is the Chief Minister of the state because the high command is on his side,” he said.

When asked whether there would be a change in the CM post, Shivakumar said such discussions were speculative and reiterated that the leadership would be decided strictly by the party. “You are discussing this. We will go by party directions,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar visited the Jagadishwari temple in Andle, where he offered special prayers. Declining to elaborate on the significance of the visit, he said it was a personal matter between him and the deity. He also said he offered prayers at the Mahabaleshwara and Gangadhareshwara temples and prayed to Lord Ganesh for overcoming obstacles.

“I had visited the Andle Jagadishwari temple five years ago and sought blessings for my family. I had taken an oath to return, and today I have fulfilled it. I prayed for myself and for the state. I am returning happy,” he said.