Bengaluru, Nov 24 (NationPress) Amidst the persistent leadership struggle in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar sought to ease the tensions on Monday by stating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's word is “final” and labeling him as a “valuable asset” to the party.

In response to media inquiries near Shidlaghatta and later at his home in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, Shivakumar remarked, “Siddaramaiah is a great asset to the party. We are working under his guidance.”

When questioned about Siddaramaiah's statement that everyone, including Shivakumar, must respect the High Command’s decisions, he replied, “We all have respect for the High Command. Neither I nor anyone else has spoken about power-sharing.”

“The media is unnecessarily creating news about it. You are the ones generating unwarranted confusion. I, along with everyone else, have no confusion. If there is any issue, the party High Command and I will resolve it. All decisions will be made within a closed room,” Shivakumar asserted.

When asked if he had met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge recently, he stated: “I met him just the other day in Delhi. Is it appropriate to meet repeatedly without cause? If the situation calls for it, I will go and meet him. After he returns from Delhi, I will request an appointment. There is no need to trouble him unnecessarily.”

“You (the media) don't even let us move freely -- you stand right at the door. ‘D.K. Shivakumar went in, came out, had coffee, had breakfast, spoke for 40-50 minutes’ -- you keep heightening anxiety with such reports. In fact, the media is causing more trouble for everyone than anyone else. None of us have any issues,” he remarked.

Regarding MLA H.C. Balakrishna's trip to Delhi, he commented: “They might have ambitions to become ministers. What is wrong with that? They are going. Can we tell people not to go to Delhi? The party office in Delhi is like a temple to us. People go there to shape their futures.”

On whether this constitutes a breach of party discipline, he noted: “Violation occurs when someone makes anti-party statements or forms factions. What violation has occurred now? Has anyone spoken against the party? As the cabinet reshuffle is anticipated, they have traveled there in hopes of an opportunity.”

Asked about the High Command's influence and the JD(S)–BJP's jab that Mallikarjun Kharge is merely a “rubber-stamp president,” he responded, “Why did Mallikarjun Kharge mention the High Command? Because the party has a committee of numerous leaders.”

“When I became KPCC President, could I make spontaneous decisions alone? Recently, while finalizing four names, I consulted with Siddaramaiah, district in-charge ministers, the president, and the aspirants,” he elaborated.

He concluded, “After discussions, I communicated: this many people have applied, these are their opinions, this is their background. In that context, Mallikarjun Kharge conveyed what he did. When we refer to the ‘election committee,’ is it just one individual making all the decisions? Many people collaborate and make decisions together.”