BENGALURU: The speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka gained fresh momentum on Monday after Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi publicly backed deputy chief minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar, claiming he enjoys the support of all 136 Congress MLAs in the Assembly.Hattiholi told ANI that Shivakumar has been running the party successfully for the past six years and enjoys the support of 136 MLAs.“DK Shivakumar has made it very clear, not 80, not 90, all 136 MLAs are in his support. He has been running the party successfully for the past six years… He has the support of 136 MLAs, he is the party chief for 136 MLAs, and all are happy with him. We are all in support of DK Shivakumar,” Hattiholi said.“He deserves to be CM of this state, and we all hope that he will be CM of Karnataka very soon, in this tenure,” Hattiholi added.Responding to the renewed buzz, DK Shivakumar sought to downplay speculation and said his focus remains on organisational work and public service.“Today, I have a meeting at AICC on political matters relating to various elections. Every day is good news, good life, a good beginning, a successful life for me. There is nothing else in this besides solving people’s problems, which makes me happy,” Shivakumar said.Shivakumar also addressed recent remarks made by Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, stressing that public statements for or against leaders only harm the party.“There is no confusion. When others make statements or give opinions in favour of me or against any MLA or minister, it causes damage to the party. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has asked everyone not to speak on this,” he said.(With agency inputs)
