I Will Continue as Karnataka CM as Long as High Command Wants: Siddaramaiah

Belagavi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday made it clear that he will continue in office as long as the Congress high command wishes him to do so. He also said that the Congress party has received a clear mandate from the people to govern the state for five years.

Speaking in the Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah said the party follows a disciplined structure and abides by the decisions of the central leadership. “We have a high command, and its decision is final. I will remain chief minister as long as the high command wants,” he said.

The issue of leadership came up during Question Hour after Congress MLA H D Ranganath alleged discrimination against farmers in his Kunigal constituency. Ranganath claimed that farmers there were not receiving short-term loans from the District Central Cooperative Bank, while farmers in the neighbouring Madhugiri constituency had received loans worth ₹100 crore.

Ranganath is known to be close to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, while Madhugiri MLA K N Rajanna is considered a loyalist of Siddaramaiah. Responding to the allegation, the Chief Minister assured the House that any discrimination, if found, would be corrected. “If there is any injustice, I will set it right,” he said, adding that he hoped Ranganath trusted him.

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka from the BJP commented that the alleged discrimination appeared deliberate and hinted at internal differences within the ruling Congress. Siddaramaiah objected to the remark and asked the Opposition not to provoke unnecessary controversy.

Ashoka, however, said the unrest was being created by Congress MLAs themselves and referred to reports suggesting that some leaders were performing rituals hoping D K Shivakumar would become chief minister.

Rejecting these claims, Siddaramaiah said the Congress legislature party was united. “Even if you try to instigate us, no one from our side will react. All 140 MLAs are standing together,” he said.

When asked whether he would serve a full five-year term, Siddaramaiah replied that the people of Karnataka had given the Congress a mandate to rule for five years. He added that the party was confident of returning to power even after the 2028 Assembly elections.

BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar pointed out a change in Siddaramaiah’s wording, noting that the Chief Minister had shifted from saying “I will rule for five years” to “we will rule for five years.” In response, Siddaramaiah said governance is always collective. “We are running the government together. It was never an individual matter,” he said.

The ongoing speculation about a power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar continues, despite both leaders earlier attempting to downplay differences through what was described as ‘breakfast diplomacy’.