DK Shivakumar on CM claims: ‘I’m in no hurry, I know what my destiny is’

D K Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka, on Saturday (October 11) said he knows what his destiny is following reports about a change in the state’s chief minister later this year. The Congress leader, who spearheads his party’s unit in Karnataka, also said that he was in no hurry.

The senior leader spoke in Bengaluru as he expressed displeasure, blaming some media channels for saying they were indulging in “sensationalism and politics” by twisting facts and claiming that he made a statement – time is approaching for him to become the CM. Shivakumar, who is serving as the deputy to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was interacting with the public at the city's Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

Also read: DK Shivakumar bats for sealed studio hosting Big Boss Kannada

Speculation over change of guard

Speculations are rife about the change of guard and cabinet reshuffle in the state when the state’s current Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term next month, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution".

“Some people expressed their desire that I should become the chief minister. They asked me whether the time was nearing for it, that’s all. Don't distort it and show it in the media that -- I said the time is nearing (for becoming CM). Some media are already showing that D K Shivakumar said that the time is nearing. I’m in no urgency,” the deputy CM said at the interaction.

Also read: Karnataka caste census: Shivakumar asks officials to avoid ‘personal questions’

Stating that he has not come to do politics here (referring to his interaction with people), he said, “I’m telling you the media, I will not cooperate with you in the future, if you create false news, sensational news. I will not do any press conference and call you. I know how to do politics without calling you.”

“Who is posting in the media claiming -- I have said that time was nearing for me to become the chief minister? Where have I said that? Have I said anywhere? When someone spoke about it, I stayed quiet and did not discuss it,” Shivakumar said.

DKS asks media not to politicise

Asking the media to leave politicising things, he further said, “We are doing development here. If you do politics, I will not allow or take you (media) for any such visits or interactions, here on.”

Also read: CM Siddaramaiah will serve full five-year term: G Parameshwara

Making it “very clear” that he had made no statement that the time was nearing for him to become the CM, Shivakumar said, “There is no need to say so. I know when and what my destiny is.”

“I know what opportunity the Almighty has given me, and when he will give me the opportunity. I want to serve the people of my state and want to provide good administration to the people of Bengaluru. With that intention, I'm working from morning to evening,” he said.

Accusing the media of creating controversy, leaving aside good things, the Deputy CM said, “I’m telling you, don’t create false things unnecessarily. Even as I was sitting and speaking here, big news is being made out of it.”

Also read: Shivakumar says potholes a national issue, not limited to Karnataka

“If anyone is creating false things, I will have to file a defamation case against you (media), if any channel is trying to mislead. I have a presence of mind...,” he added.

There has been speculation within the state's political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the chief minister change later this year, citing a power-sharing agreement involving both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Amid talks about CM change, Siddaramaiah has constantly reiterated that he will complete a full five-year term.

Siddaramaiah-DKS competition resurfaces?

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the deputy CM.

Also read: DK Shivakumar to BlackBuck CEO: ‘Cannot blackmail government’

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a “rotational chief minister formula,” according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-a-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.

(With Agency inputs)