K'taka leadership tussle: Kharge puts ball in court of 'high command'

With the power tussle in Karnataka intensifying, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday put the ball in the court of "high command" even as the CM dismissed talks of discord with his deputy.

Responding to a question about whether Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be replaced, Kharge said, "See, that is in the hands of the high command. Nobody can say here what is going on in the high command. This is left to the high command."

"The high command has got power to take further actions. But unnecessarily, one should not create problems," he added.

Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah dismissed talks of discord between him and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, saying the government "will remain intact for five years like a rock".

"Shivakumar and I are together, and this government will remain intact for five years like a rock. The BJP is known for lies; that's what they do. Sriramulu lost elections and made statements. We are intact and we don't care for any comments from them," Siddaramaiah said.

“We both are on good terms, no matter who says what,” he added.

The two Congress leaders were also seen posing together in front of the cameras.

The development comes a day after Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain renewed speculation about a major political development in Karnataka after claiming that Shivakumar could get the CM's post within the next two or three months.