Bengaluru, 13 Feb

Expressing displeasure over the persistent speculation regarding the leadership issue in the State, Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday urged his party colleagues to "stop it immediately".

He said that the ruling party's energy should be focused on governance and development rather than internal politics.

"Our AICC President (Mallikarjun Kharge) has gone to the extent of saying that everyone should keep their mouth shut. He cannot be more stricter... Despite this, leaders and legislators are commenting on it (leadership issue), which is not appropriate. This must stop," Parameshwara said. “Each one of us making different statements publicly on the topic will not be appropriate."

"I hope that the High Command is watching all of this. At the appropriate time, I will also speak to the High Command in this regard. Because, enough is enough, this must stop," he added.

The internal tensions flared up when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son and MLC Yathindra insisted that the High Command had given a clear signal that his father would complete his full tenure, which supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have consistently said their leader will become the CM.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar returned from New Delhi and repeated that he did not discuss the power tussle with the High Command. “Time will answer everything”.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said the 1,000-day tenure of the Congress government has been 1,000 days of darkness, as people do not know who the Chief Minister is.