No power tussle in Karnataka Congress: DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday downplayed reports of power tussle within the Congress. “No one should worry... People have blessed us and given us an opportunity, and we will continue for five years. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I will continue functioning as per the directions of the party,” Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question.

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With supporters hailing him as the “next CM” on his arrival here, Shivakumar, who is also the state party chief, said he did not need anyone’s support and would abide by the party’s instructions.

Asked about workers demanding that he should be the next CM, Shivakumar said, “I don’t want anyone to demand anything from me. I don’t want anyone’s support. I do not need any legislator’s backing. This is between me and the Congress. Whatever the Congress party says, I will function accordingly.” His comments came a day after his Cabinet colleague KN Rajanna suggested that Shivakumar should aim to become CM by successfully leading the party in the next elections, rather than aspiring for the top post during the remaining two and a half years of the government.