Don't ask again: Siddaramaiah snaps at reporters amid Karnataka power tussle buzz

This comes amid renewed speculation triggered by former MP and DK Shivakumar's brother, DK Suresh's comments expressing confidence that Siddaramaiah would "keep his word" on an alleged leadership promise.

The simmering leadership speculation within the Karnataka Congress resurfaced on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah losing his cool when repeatedly questioned about an alleged power-sharing arrangement with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Visibly irritated, Siddaramaiah told reporters to stop raising the issue and made it clear that any decision would rest with the party’s central leadership. “Don’t you have anything else to ask apart from that? For the past three months, you have been asking the same question again and again. Please don’t ask it again,” he said.

He reiterated that both he and Shivakumar would abide by the Congress high command’s decision. “Whatever the high command decides, both of us will follow. How many times should I keep repeating that?” he added.

Siddaramaiah was also asked about Congress MLAs reportedly planning a foreign trip amid the political chatter. “If they are going at their own expense, can we say no to that?” he responded.

The questions came against the backdrop of remarks by former MP DK Suresh, Shivakumar’s brother, who recently said he was confident Siddaramaiah would “keep his word”, fuelling speculation about a rotational chief minister arrangement.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, speaking separately, avoided a direct response on the leadership issue. When asked whether he had held meetings in Delhi regarding the matter, he said, “Time will answer.” On Suresh’s remarks, he added, “I have already said that time will answer everything. Only some of us are privy to what was discussed. I will talk about it later.”