Can’t you ask anything other than leadership change? asks Siddaramaiah

Visibly irritated by repeated questions about a possible leadership change in the government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday asked the media to stop raising the issue repeatedly.

“Can’t you ask anything other than this (leadership change issue)? It has been three months since you started this. Please don’t ask the same thing again,” he said.

Suresh’s remark

Responding to queries about Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s brother and former MP D.K. Suresh’s remarks regarding an informal power-sharing arrangement — and his statement that he is “still hopeful that, though delayed, the Chief Minister will keep his word” — Mr. Siddaramaiah maintained that the party high command would take the final call.

“The high command is aware. They will decide. I will abide by their decision. How many times should I tell you this?” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that both he and Mr. Shivakumar would abide by whatever decision the Congress high command makes. “Whether it is me or Mr. Shivakumar, we should abide by the high command’s decision. The matter is left to them. You repeatedly ask the same thing. Don’t you have anything else to ask?” he added.

When reporters clarified that they were seeking his response to Mr. Suresh’s statement, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “Ask those who make the statement.”

Earlier in Bengaluru, Mr. Suresh expressed confidence that Mr. Siddaramaiah would honour his word, hinting at a power-sharing formula.

Meanwhile, when asked in Delhi about when he would become Chief Minister, Mr. Shivakumar responded, “Time will answer all the questions.”