'I Will Be CM For 5 Years': Siddaramaiah Dismisses Leadership Change Buzz In Karnataka (VIDEO)

Bengaluru: Amidst the speculations of the leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asserted that he would be completing the full term.

Answering a pointed questions at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura districts, where a special cabinet meeting was held on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah asserted: ``Yes, I will be the chief minister for five years. Why did you get this doubt?''

When the reporters pointed at the opposition leader R Ashok's statement that Siddaramaiah would be replaced in three months, Siddaramaiah shot back: ``Ashok is not Congress high command. He is just the opposition leader. He is not even in our party and how can he decide who would be the Chief Minister in the State?''

Later, speaking to the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the reporters recalled the statement made by Siddaramaiah and asked if he would support him to complete the term. With a smile D K Shivakumar said: ``What choice do I have? I have to do as the party high command says. When he is the chief minister, I have to support him. I don't want to reply to any of the speculations.''

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar said that everyone had to stand by the party high command's decision. ``The party high command takes a decision and we have to follow that. They will decide what is good for the party,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa also said that there was no move to replace Siddaramaiah with any other leader. ``He will complete the term and no one needs to have any doubt about it,'' he added.

Labour Minister Santhosh Lad said that it was natural for a political party with 140 MLAs to have differences of opinions. ``Every MLA will have their own favorite leader and feel that their leader is suitable to head. Ultimately, the party will have a high command, which decides who should lead. We don't have to attach special meanings to the statement made by each legislator,'' he added.