‘DK Shivakumar not here, right?’ Siddaramaiah refuses to name Deputy CM in his speech

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah openly refused to mention Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s name at an event on Saturday in Mysuru indicating deepening rift between the two leaders over the chief minister post, NDTV reported.

While speaking at Sadhana Samavesha, an event meant to highlight the government’s achievements and projects, the Chief Minister expressed his irritation at having to name DK Shivakumar who had left for Bengaluru after addressing the event, citing emergency.

While mentioning dignitaries participating the event, Siddaramaiah did not name DK Shivakumar but when a congress leader reminded him, the chief minister said ‘DK Shivakumar is not here, right? Please go sit down. What kind of lawyer are you?’

A visibly annoyed Siddaramaiah went on saying that ‘DK Shivakumar has gone back to Bengaluru. You have to mention the names of people on the dais, not those who have left. That's the protocol to invite those who are here, not those seated at home, you advocates should understand that’.

The incident marks the latest example of tussle happening among these top leaders over the Chief Minister post over the past several months with Siddaramaiah previously declaring that he would complete the entire term in the post.

Earlier the Congress high command made it clear that the party had no plan to change the chief minister, following which Shivakumar himself openly said he would back Siddaramaiah.

Back in 2023 when the Congress came to power in the state, DK Shivakumar emerged as the most likely choice for the top post but the party eventually picked veteran leader Siddaramiah for the post.

Some unconfirmed reports said the party had reached an agreement of rotational chief ministership between them.