Bengaluru, 17 Aug

Congress on Sunday issued a showcause notice to Channagiri MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga for his recent statement suggesting that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar would become the next Chief Minister after December.

Shivaganga's remark — “After December, DK will become the Chief Minister”— made during an interaction with reporters in Davangere on Saturday, has reignited leadership speculation within the party. This comes despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent assurance that he will serve his full five-year term.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Disciplinary Committee, taking serious note of the comments, said they had caused “confusion and embarrassment” within the party.

In a notice issued by Disciplinary Committee coordinator Nivedith Alwa, Shivaganga was asked to respond within seven days. “These public statements amount to a violation of party discipline,” Alwa stated.

Deputy CM and KPCC president DK Shivakumar expressed strong displeasure over the MLA’s repeated remarks. “Despite several warnings, Shivaganga has continued to speak on the CM post. This is unacceptable,” Shivakumar said, calling it a clear violation of party lines.

Party leaders have been instructed not to fuel speculation or make statements that might create confusion within the organisation.