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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBengaluru: <\/b><\/p>\n
In signs that the truce between new Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar may be fragile, a minister has caused a stir by suggesting that there is no power-sharing formula between the two.<\/p>\n
Karnataka Minister MB Patil has summoned fresh trouble for the Congress by saying that Mr Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister for a full five-year term and that there is no power-sharing deal.<\/p>\n
“Siddaramaiah will complete the full term as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. If there was any power-sharing formula, the high command would have communicated the same. There’s no such thing as power sharing,” Mr Patil told reporters in response to questions.<\/p>\n
On unconfirmed reports speculating about a change after the 2024 national election, Mr Patil said: “If that was the case, our AICC (All India Congress Committee) General Secretary (KC Venugopal) would have told you during the press conference. He said no such thing.”<\/p>\n
The minister said Mr Venugopal had similarly said, “Only power-sharing is with the people.”<\/p>\n
In response, DK Shivakumar cautiously said the Congress leadership would take care of it and was aware of the decision taken on power-sharing.<\/p>\n
“Let people say whatever they want. There’s AICC General Secretary, there’s Chief Minister and there’s AICC president (Mallikarjun Kharge),” the Deputy Chief Minister said today.<\/p>\n
The BJP, just ousted from power in the May 10 Karnataka election, seized on the latest rumble in the Congress.<\/p>\n
“Certainly, you will see the differences in the days to come. As far as the power-sharing, we are least bothered,” said BJP MLA BY Vijayendra, the son of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.<\/p>\n
After its big victory in Karnataka, the Congress confronted days of hard negotiations as its top two in the state, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, refused to budge on their demands.<\/p>\n
Mr Shivakumar, 61, relented after Sonia Gandhi stepped in and settled for the role of number 2 in a Siddaramaiah-led government, but details of a so-called power-sharing deal are not known. He would also stay Karnataka Congress chief for now, the party said.<\/p>\n
Many Congress leaders have claimed that Mr Shivakumar could take over as Chief Minister after half-term, but no one is on record.<\/p>\n
The two were sworn in on Saturday. Now the Congress has to decide on expanding the cabinet amid intense lobbying by rival groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n