'I wouldn't have continued without high command's support': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah amid power struggle with DKS

Speaking to NDTV, Siddaramaiah said, "The question of leadership is not with the high command. It (Shivakumar's challenge) has been resolved. I am getting the full support of the Congress high command... wouldn't have continued if they had not supported me."

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala flew to Bengaluru last week to resolve the dispute between the two top leaders, who have been in the struggle for the top post.

On Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s ambitions, Siddaramaiah earlier told India Today candidly, “He is also an aspirant. There is nothing wrong with that. DK Shivakumar has himself said this, that ‘kursi abhi khali nahi hai’.”

Refuting claims that the Congress high command had set a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing arrangement, Siddaramaiah clarified, “Two and a half years was never decided. It is not correct... Mallikarjun Kharge has already said that ours is a high command party. Whatever they say, we have to follow. I will, and DK Shivakumar also will.”

On being asked if Congress leaders like Randeep Surjewala had questioned his leadership, Siddaramaiah denied any such discussion.

“As far as leadership is concerned, Surjewala has not asked any question,” he said, acknowledging some MLAs support Shivakumar, but “not many.”

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar fought each other to grab the Chief Minister's post after Congress won Karnataka in 2023.

Last year, Shivakumar had questioned the Congress government's Shakti scheme that allows free travel in buses for women saying some women are willing to pay fares.

Shivakumar had said as quoted by Deccan Herald, "This guarantee was announced by Rahul Gandhi in Mangaluru. Some women (now) say they are ready to pay but conductors won't accept it.

"That's one class, comprising maybe 5-10 per cent. We will sit down with (Transport Minister) Ramalinga Reddy and discuss these things."

Later, he made a U-turn after being pulled up by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.