Bengaluru, 11 Feb

Congress leader DK Suresh said he hoped Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would “keep his word” regarding the alleged power-sharing pact with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

"Even today, I hope that, though delayed, he (CM) will keep his word," Suresh told reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Addressing Shivakumar’s visit to New Delhi, Suresh said, "Whenever in Delhi, we meet our party High Command if we get an opportunity."

While some meet the High Command for personal favours, Suresh said his brother "is not such a character”.

Asked whether Shivakumar's patience on the leadership issue has become a political weakness, Suresh said, "Time will answer everything."

Rumours flared about an alleged “power sharing” agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah, it was said, would step down when the Congress completed its 2.5-year term in the State in November.

Internal tensions flared again after Siddaramaiah's son and MLC Yathindra last week said the High Command had given a clear signal that his father would complete his full five-year tenure.

Taking a swipe at Yathindra over his statement, Suresh said, "I'm not as influential or knowledgeable as he is. Whatever he says is final."

Suresh backed Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain, who questioned why Yathindra didn’t get a notice for speaking in favour of Siddaramaiah when the Ramanagara MLA did for voicing a pro-Shivakumar position.

Suresh also said that “some people within our party or Opposition” were seeking to tarnish Shivakumar’s image by spreading reports about Congress legislators planning a foreign trip amid the internal turmoil.