Bengaluru, February 10 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Tuesday that whatever decision the Congress high command makes regarding the change of Chief Minister is final, and he will abide by the leadership's instructions.
He also clarified that he will not go to Delhi to discuss the issue, and will only go if called by the high command.
The CM was responding to comments made by his deputy and another claimant for the Chief Minister post, D K Shivakumar, earlier in the day, who stated that he had "no confusion" regarding the leadership issue, as he and Siddaramaiah had discussed the matter in the presence of the Congress high command.
"I will not speak about it now. Whatever the high command says is final. There is no point in you asking unnecessary questions," the CM told reporters here.
When reporters asked if they were simply asking what Shivakumar had stated, a visibly upset Siddaramaiah said, "if he has said something, you ask him. I don't know. I am committed to what the high command says."
Responding to a question, he stated, "why should I go without being called? I have work here, I have budget preparation work. If I'm called, I will go."
The power struggle between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah has once again come to the fore, with the latter's son and MLC, Yathindra, insisting last week that his father would complete his five-year term, with the party high command having given a signal in this regard.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of Chief Minister after the Congress government completes its halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
This speculation has been fueled by reports of a "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government's formation in 2023.
Siddaramaiah stated that Shivakumar has written a letter to him seeking permission to be absent from the pre-budget meetings with his water resources and Bengaluru development departments on Tuesday.
"He (Shivakumar) has written a letter stating that he has to go to Delhi to participate in a (Congress) meeting regarding the upcoming Assam assembly elections, so he will not be able to attend today's pre-budget meeting," he said, adding that the meetings of the concerned departments will be held in his absence.
Shivakumar has been appointed by the Congress as a senior observer for the upcoming Assam assembly elections.
Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, is holding a series of pre-budget meetings with various departments.
Official sources indicate that the 2026-27 Budget is likely to be presented in March, which would be Siddaramaiah's 17th budget.
Responding to a question about former BJP MP from Mysuru, Prathap Simha, alleging that Yathindra Siddaramaih was interfering in administration, including transfers of government officials, the CM said, "Prathap Simha was not even given a ticket by his party (to contest the Lok Sabha elections)."
