Karnataka leadership row: Siddaramaiah says discussions will happen tomorrow

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday remained guarded when questioned about ongoing speculation surrounding a possible leadership change in the state Congress unit saying discussions with the party high command would be addressed ldquotomorrowrdquo reported ANIHis brief response came amid renewed political chatter over the future leadership of the Congress government in Karnataka and ahead of a key meeting with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in BengaluruSiddaramaiah pays tribute to Jawaharlal NehruSiddaramaiah was speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to Indiarsquos first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 62nd death anniversary at Vidhana Soudha in BengaluruRecalling Nehrursquos contribution to the country the chief minister said he played a major role in shaping postindependence IndialdquoAfter Independence he was the first Prime Minister of this country For 17 years he served the people of this countryrdquo Siddaramaiah said during the event reported ANIHowever when reporters asked him directly about his discussions with the Congress high command and the speculation around leadership changes he avoided elaboratingldquoWe will talk about it tomorrowrdquo he said briefly reported ANIKey SiddaramaiahShivakumar meeting scheduledThe remarks assume significance as Siddaramaiah is expected to hold an important breakfast meeting with DK Shivakumar at his official residence lsquoKaverirsquo in Bengaluru on ThursdayThe proposed meeting comes shortly after a highlevel Congress leadership discussion held in New Delhi on TuesdayCongress leadership meets in DelhiThe Delhi meeting included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Karnataka incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala AICC general secretary KC Venugopal Siddaramaiah and ShivakumarFollowing the meeting Venugopal attempted to downplay speculation around leadership changes saying the discussions were focused on organisational matters and upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council electionsHe dismissed reports about a change in chief ministership as ldquospeculationrdquoParameshwara says details still unclearMeanwhile Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said there was still no clarity regarding what transpired during the meeting with the party high command in DelhildquoYesterday the high command leaders called the CM The CM met them But no one knows what was discussed insiderdquo Parameshwara told reportersHe added that Randeep Singh Surjewalarsquos visit to Bengaluru could help clarify the situation and address ongoing confusion within party circlesLeadership speculation continues in Karnataka CongressSpeculation regarding Karnatakarsquos chief ministerial post has surfaced multiple times since the Congress government completed twoandahalf years in officeSupporters of DK Shivakumar have repeatedly voiced support for him to assume the chief ministerrsquos role while some sections within the party have also backed G Parameshwara as a possible contenderAlthough Congress leaders have publicly denied any immediate leadership transition recurring discussions around powersharing arrangements continue to fuel political speculation in the stateThe upcoming meetings in Bengaluru are likely to be closely watched for indications about the Congress partyrsquos internal coordination and political strategy ahead of future elections and governance priorities in KarnatakaWith inputs from ANI