New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar said on Tuesday he had the support of all 136 MLAs in the state’s ongoing leadership battle, rather than the 80 MLAs reportedly claimed by some departments.However, he had earlier clarified that there was no ambiguity on the leadership issue of the state government, adding that his arrangement with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah This has been made clear to the Congress high command. DKS was in Delhi to attend party meetings related to the upcoming elections, including the review of the Assam assembly polls at the Congress headquarters. Karnataka deputy chief minister, who along with former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has been appointed senior observer for the Assam elections, said he has completed the scheduled meetings and will inform the media if there is any further developments.“I came to Delhi to attend the Assam election meeting and other meetings. I ended the meeting at Indira Bhawan. If anything happens, I will inform you,” he told reporters.He had previously clarified that there was no confusion in the leadership. “There was no confusion. We, the chief minister and I, knew what we discussed. We did not speak individually or in secret, I spoke along with Siddaramaiah and the party leaders. We acted on what we discussed. Others making statements or opinions for or against any MLA or minister is damaging to the party and is not a good sign. Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge said everyone should shut up,” he said.“Whoever makes statements, whether they are for me or against me, whether they are ministers or legislators, whoever they are, they are damaging to the party. Such comments do the party no good.” Mallikarjun Kharge once said that it would be better if everyone shut up. We should all abide by it,” he added.The issue has resurfaced after the Congress government completes half of its term in November 2025, once again fueling speculations about a power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, said to be part of the 2023 government formation.
