We will abide by high command: Shivakumar After Siddaramaiah Meet

BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that he has the same political stand on leadership issue as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the two would go by the decision of the High Command. This statement came soon after the two senior Congress leaders addressed a joint press conference after their 'Breakfast Meeting' today on Saturday at the insistence of the High Command, after the two leaders had taken to social media on the leadership tussle between them. 

Addressing the press conference at the CM's official residence "Cauvery", he said, "We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party is in a difficult stage at the national level. We will fight the 2028 and 2029 election together under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Our objective is to bring the party back to power at the state and the  national level. We have decided to continue working towards this goal."

Shivakumar said, "I had a breakfast meeting with the CM at his official residence. He will come to my home for lunch or dinner in the next few days. We are working together and our party has come to power with the hard work of our party workers and blessings of the people. The people of the state have reposed their faith in us and it is our duty to fulfil their aspirations. The government has been formed under Siddaramaiah's leadership and we are working as per High Command's guidance." 

"The Winter Session will be starting from December 8 and we discussed counter strategies to tackle the Opposition parties. We are prepared and are ready to answer any questions the Opposition may have," he further explained. 

"There is no factionalism among us. There was no factional politics during S M Krishna time and there is no factional politics now. There is only one faction and that is Congress faction. I had not said a word when I was not made the minister for the first 6 months of the previous Siddaramaiah's government. I am committed to working together as per the High Command's directions. Both of us are committed to organizing the party by enthusing our party workers and empowering our MLAs. We have designed several programmes to bring the party back to power in 2028 and we are working together towards that. I am in agreement with CM's message," the deputy CM said.

Asked if he would visit Delhi, he said, "We will certainly go if the High Command calls us.  That apart, we need to discuss with our MPs the issue of MSP for maize and sugarcane. The Centre isn't supporting the state on this issue. The CM also met the prime minister regarding this. We will urge the MPs to put pressure on the Centre regarding this.  The Union ministers have asked me also to join them in the delegation. All of us need to work together to protect the interest of the state. The Court has given us a judgment  in our favour regarding Mekedatu and the ball is in CWCs court. We will be submitting a revised DPR. We also need to discuss several irrigation projects in the state." 

"The Opposition parties are entitled to move a 'no-confidence motion' in the Assembly session, it is their right as an Opposition party. We are prepared to face it," he added.