DK Shivakumar
NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday asserted there is “no need” for him to step down as the state Congress president, stressing that his health is “good” and that he has several responsibilities to discharge as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief. “I have worked to build the party day in and day out, and I will continue to do so. My mental, physical and political health is good,” he told reporters in Bengaluru, according to ANI.Shivakumar noted that he must oversee the laying of foundation stones for 100 Congress party offices in Karnataka and is scheduled to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. “We have to celebrate the Congress foundation day (December 28). Who will do all this? I have to do it. Why should I resign from the KPCC presidency? There is no need for it,” he remarked. Describing himself as a “loyal soldier” of the party, he added that he would continue as KPCC chief for as long as the leadership wants him to remain in the role.On whether he would raise rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle during his meeting with Kharge, Shivakumar distanced himself from the matter. “That is left to the CM (Siddaramaiah). He will discuss it with the high command. I am meeting Kharge only to finalise dates for laying the foundation for the new Congress offices. I would like both Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to lay the foundation stone. I am requesting a date before December 1 as the Parliament session starts that day,” he explained. Shivakumar’s reaffirmation of loyalty comes amid a renewed push from a section of the Karnataka Congress for him to be elevated as chief minister under the so-called “2.5-year formula” that party leaders had reportedly agreed upon after returning to power in May 2023, defeating the BJP.
