I have come to discuss, not just to breathe: DK Shivakumar!

In a clear hint towards the possibility of leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said he had met leaders at 10 Janpath, Sonia Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi, and said only time would tell.

Speaking to the media in Delhi after visiting Sonia Gandhi’s residence, Shivkumar was asked whether he had met Priyanka Gandhi Vadra or Rahul Gandhi.

He replied, “I came to 10 Janpath. There is no need for me to tell whom I met and why. I am not ready to do politics by standing on the road. We met our national leadership and discussed whatever was to be discussed. That’s all.”

He said, “Look, I have come here to do politics. I have not come to Delhi just to take a breather and discuss with the leadership. I have discussed the things that had to be discussed. Time will clarify everything.”

Asked about his meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary and Congress MP KC Venugopal on Wednesday night, Shivakumar said, “Absolutely. When I reach Delhi, I will have to brief and discuss all matters. I have discussed everything with them. It is not possible for me to discuss all the details in public.”

Shivakumar further said, “We have discussed Assam Assembly elections and other political matters. I met senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and other national leaders and discussed the direction in which we should work. We compared all our reports and prepared to bring a Congress-led government to power in Assam.”

Shivakumar’s statements are likely to create a stir within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka. Congress insiders say that after meeting Rahul Gandhi, Shivkumar looks full of confidence.

According to sources, Shivkumar first met Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at 10 Janpath and discussed matters related to Assam elections. Later, he met Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and discussed the issue of the chief minister’s post. Shivkumar had been seeking time to meet Rahul Gandhi for a long time.

Shivakumar is considered a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister and his MLAs are requesting the intervention of the party high command to clear the confusion over the leadership issue.

It is noteworthy that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s brother and former MP DK Suresh had said on Wednesday that people coming from outside were being given priority in the Congress. In political circles, this statement is being seen as a veiled dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, which is happening amid the leadership tussle.