CM for 5 yrs, says Siddu; DKS supports

NT Correspondent
Chikkaballapura

Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that he will be the Chief Minister of Karnataka for a full five-year term, following which a reconciled D K Shivakumar, said he will support him as he has "no option", indicating a truce between the two for the time being. Shivakumar also said he will fulfill the directions of the Congress high command.

The remarks by both the leaders came even as Congress General Secretary incharge of Karnataka , Randeep Singh Surjewala, continued his one-on-one meetings with the party MLAs for the third consecutive day in the wake of internal bickering in the party's state unit over the chief minister's position.

Responding to a question about whether Surjewala's meetings will bring down disgruntlement in the party, Shi-vakumar said: "There is no disgruntlement in the party. He (Surjewala) is fixing accountability on matters related to the party and the organisation and how to prepare for elections from now itself."

Earlier in Chikkaballapura, Siddaramaiah said the Congress party was united and the party's government will be in power "solid as a rock" for five years. "Yes, I will be. Why do you have doubts?" Siddaramaiah said in response to a question by reporters whether he will be the chief minister for five years. Asked about the chief minister's statement, Shivakumar responded: "What option do I have? I have to stand by him, support him (Siddaramaiah). I don't have any objection to it.

Whatever the party high command tells and whatever it desires, it will be fulfilled." There has been speculation especially within the ruling Congress, about the Chief Minister change, with some of Shivakumar supporters pushing for his elevation.