Don’t drag me into it: DK Shivakumar distances himself from CM speculation

Bengaluru, March 1; Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar publicly distanced himself from speculation surrounding internal party manoeuvring, urging legislators not to use his name in their political pursuits.

“I request you, please don’t. No one should speak on my behalf,” Shivakumar said, addressing reporters in Bengaluru amid talk of MLAs travelling to Delhi and possible jockeying for positions.

“If you have your own issues, if you are an MLA and want to become a minister, want power, or want a chairman post, you go ahead and pursue that. But please don’t drag me into it. I am requesting you,” he added.

Responding to reports that some legislators were visiting the national capital or travelling abroad, Shivakumar said he had no knowledge of such moves. “I don’t know anything about MLAs going to Delhi or abroad, and I will not even intervene on this,” he said.

Asked about remarks attributed to his brother DK Suresh suggesting he could become Chief Minister if destiny favoured him, Shivakumar dismissed the speculation.

“Everyone is saying the same thing. I have not said that,” he said firmly.

On support within the Congress legislature party, he asserted that all 139 MLAs, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, were united.

“All the 139 MLAs, including the CM, are in support of him,” Shivakumar said, signalling an attempt to calm internal chatter and present a picture of party unity.