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As his deputy DK Shivakumar flies to Delhi amid the ongoing power-tussle over the CM post, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that he will only visit the national capital to meet top Congress leaders after being called by the party high command.
"Let him go. I will go only if I receive a call. I have not received a call so far," Siddaramaiah told reporters here. Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi fuelled further speculation over the power tussle, saying that the issue could take "thirty months or three years. "I said it could be thirty months, or it could be three years," Jarkiholi told reporters in Mangaluru. This comes as senior Congress leader KC Venugopal witnessed a display of internal party dynamics upon his arrival at Mangaluru Airport, with party workers chanting conflicting slogans in favour of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. As this happened, Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara said he does not wish to comment further on recent political differences, stating that any minor issues have been resolved. Speaking to reporters, Parameshwar said, "I dont want to comment unnecessarily. It's all over now. Whatever little difference was there, if it was there, has been resolved." Speculation in political circles has intensified after Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar flew to Delhi on Wednesday afternoon. Although Shivakumar said he was going to Delhi for a private marriage function, there is a high chance he will meet top Congress leaders to discuss the ongoing political developments in Karnataka. Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said that he will be back in Bengaluru for a cabinet meeting after attending brief meetings and a marriage function. He added that Congress leaders from Karnataka will also participate in the December 14 rally scheduled to be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi against "Vote Chori". "I am going to Delhi for a private marriage function. On December 14, we will be going to Ramlila Maidan, where a very big program has been organised. From Karnataka, we need at least 300 people to visit Delhi. I have asked all the District ministers and MLAs to monitor that and take all the party cadres to the vote chori program. I am going there to see the arrangements, and I will come back tomorrow morning for a cabinet meeting. I will just attend the marriage and 2-3 small meetings, and I will come back," the Deputy CM said. When asked to react to his supporters chanting his name before senior Congress leader KC Venugopal earlier today, Shivakumar said, "This is normal. Some people chant Modi-Modi, others chant DK-DK, others chant Rahul-Rahul, and others chant Siddu-Siddu. There is nothing wrong with it. People just show their love and affection, and we need to take it in a sporty way." In previous instances, he has held important discussions at the airport with senior high command leaders such as KC Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge. This visit, too, is believed to be linked to the state's political developments. (ANI)
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