In Bengaluru, Karnataka, amidst the ongoing power struggle within the ruling Congress party for the CM position, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar stated on Tuesday that he is exercising "utmost patience," and that he does not need to engage in any kind of confrontation, as he believes in himself and has hope.
Shivakumar asserted that he is not interested in any form of coercion for personal gain, nor is he interested in causing trouble for the Congress party, even though he is also its state unit chief. He emphasized that his focus remains on the party's interests.
In response to claims that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was using state intelligence to monitor Shivakumar's activities through phone tapping during the ongoing power struggle, Shivakumar stated that he is unaware of this, and pointed out that the CM and Home Minister G Parameshwara have made statements on the issue.
When asked about his reluctance to comment on the potential change in leadership, Shivakumar stated, "I have not spoken about the CM issue at any point. On matters concerning us, it is between me, the CM, and the party high command. I have only said that we are party to the decision that has happened, other than that I have never said anything else."
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, "Others have been saying that the post will become vacant, that Dalits should get the post, that others should get it. It is others who want the CM post to become vacant, wanting it to be given to Dalits and others. I have never spoken about it. Only if the post is vacant can it be given to anyone else. I have never spoken about the post becoming vacant."
Shivakumar emphasized that he is the party president and is aware of that responsibility, and has always strived to ensure that no harm comes to the party or that discipline is not violated.
Highlighting that the Congress party was built and nurtured by a number of workers and leaders, including himself, he doesn't want lakhs of party workers to be troubled because of him.
"They (workers) have made us sit in power. Neither am I interested in indulging in any kind of blackmail for my selfishness, nor am I interested in causing any trouble for the party," he added.
Responding to a question about his hesitation to comment on the CM change issue and when it might happen, Shivakumar merely said, "Time will answer, and decide."
He, however, did not wish to respond to reports about party leadership, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, top leader Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary K C Venugopal having held a discussion on the leadership issue in Karnataka. "I don't know. I haven't spoken or asked anyone," he added.
Shivakumar, who is hosting a dinner party for party legislators on March 10 to mark his six years as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, responded to a question about his continuation in the post by saying, "New blood should come, youngsters should come with fresh ideas."
"(Ministers) Parameshwara, H K Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and I became Ministers during our first term as MLAs. Our term is over, we are senior citizens, and new people should come....enough for me six years (as KPCC chief), others should also get an opportunity," he said.
Questioned whether he was speaking like a "Yogi," he said, "I'm a street fighter....I have come so far fighting; I know how to fight, but not for power. My fight is not within the party; I will fight outside the party. If anyone thinks I'm quiet, it is left to them."
Asked whether there will be some "Kranti" (revolution) after the budget, he said, "I need not do any Kranti. I have belief in myself, I have self-confidence. I always have hope.....I need not put in any effort; whatever has to come to me, it will come at the appropriate time. I have that confidence. I will meet you soon."
Responding to a question about Siddaramaiah's statement -- that if the BJP and JD(S) leaders have any "evil idea" to woo Shivakumar, it is their "daydream" -- the Deputy CM said, "He (the CM) said that out of his experience, he has seen me closely both when he was in another party and after joining Congress."
Asked whether there were any attempts by BJP and JD(S) to woo him, he said, "I will write a story about it some other time.....why speak about it now."
To a question, whether he accepts Siddaramaiah describing the bond between them as "milk and honey", Shivakumar said, "Of course. It was the same earlier, it is the same now, and it will be the same in 2028."
When pointed out that the bond between him and the CM doesn't seem to be cordial amid the ongoing power tussle, and after listening to some legislators supporting him, he said, "I want to request all the legislators, if they have any desire, that good things should happen to me. Please keep quiet."
Accusing the opposition leaders of trying to "sour the relationship" between him and Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, earlier in the day, while rejecting phone tapping allegations, had asserted that such actions would not affect their relationship, which he described as being like "milk and honey."