Siddaramaiah Looks at Central Leaders to Settle Power-Sharing Issue

Bengaluru: Even after a direction from president of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Mallikarjun Kharge to State senior leaders of the party to resolve the issue of transfer of power at the State level, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday pointed fingers at central leaders to decide on contentious power sharing between him and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.Siddaramaiah stated in Mysuru “I spoke to high command leaders and they have assured to take a decision on transfer of power.” In response to a question over reported political revolution happening during the Sankranthi festival in mid-January, the Chief Minister said “It’s all over now.”On Sunday, Mallikarjun Kharge stated “It is not the high command which created confusion over power transfer but State leaders themselves have contributed to it” and wanted “State leaders to settle the matter for themselves.”Siddaramaiah completed two-and-half years as Chief Minister in November while Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said to be a front runner to replace Siddaramaiah, is said to be mounting pressure on central leadership to initiate steps to make him the Chief Minister.Shivakumar claims an unwritten agreement to transfer power after two-and-half years between him and Siddaramaiah in presence of a couple of central leaders in May, 2023. Siddaramaiah ruled out having entered into any such agreement over power-sharing.When his attention was drawn to the Kharge’s statement, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters “Ultimately, high command has to take a decision. The decision of the high command would be accepted.”Siddaramaiah said Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and leaders of high command have to arrive at a decision on power sharing. He, however, was non-committal to a query on completion of full term in office and when asked whether he is preparing to present a budget, Siddaramaiah said “When I start preparations, will inform you.”



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