It is not proper to speak on leadership change after CM’s clarification, says DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jul 11 (PTI): In the wake of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserting that he would complete his five years’ tenure, his deputy D K Shivakumar on Friday said the CM has replied to all the questions on the matter.
"The Chief Minister has already answered all your questions. It’s not appropriate for me to keep repeating the same, and it’s not right for you to keep asking," Shivakumar told reporters at the Bengaluru airport, upon his return from New Delhi.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in the national capital to meet the Congress high command earlier this week.
"Why are you (pointing to reporters) panicking about our internal matters when we are not?" Shivakumar quipped, dismissing speculation that the talks were about a power-sharing arrangement.
Following the Congress’ victory in the May 2023 Assembly elections, there had been intense competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post. Reports at the time suggested that they agreed upon a rotational CM formula, under which Shivakumar would take over after two-and-a-half years, in November 2025. However, the party has never confirmed such an agreement.
Asked about growing support for him within the party to take over as CM, Shivakumar said, "Leave it. Many of you have aspirations too." He declined to comment further on questions about leadership change.
"I’m not going to answer any of your questions at this point," he said, adding that there were no political discussions during the Delhi visit.
"We discussed appointments of party workers as chairpersons and members of boards and corporations. Since all MLAs have submitted their opinions, we’re now in the final stages. One more round of discussions with the high command will help finalise the names," he said.
On Thursday, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Delhi that there was "no vacancy" for the top post when asked about speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka.
"Is there any vacancy for the chief ministership? I am very much here before you. I am the Chief Minister of Karnataka. That is what Shivakumar has said, and I am also saying it... There is no vacancy," he added.
He also pointed out that the Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, had categorically denied any leadership change, and that Shivakumar had echoed the same.
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Xi, Trump reach series of new common understandings: China's foreign ministry
Beijing (PTI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world, and reached a series of new common understandings, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
Xi and Trump, who is on a three-day visit to China, met twice on Thursday and discussed a range of bilateral and global issues.
Trump is due to leave on Friday after a luncheon meeting with Xi.
Summing up the outcomes of Trump’s visit to Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings.
They agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond.
The two presidents also agreed to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world, said a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson.
Trump visited China at the invitation of Xi.
The two presidents are meeting in person again for the first time since their Busan meeting last October, and it is the first visit to China by a US president in nine years, the statement said.
On Thursday, President Xi held a welcome ceremony and a banquet for Trump, held talks and visited the Temple of Heaven with him.
VIDEO | Beijing: On second day of bilateral talks, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) thanks Chinese President Xi Jinping for 'incredible' China trip.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2026
Trump says, "Thank you very much. This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it. We've made some… pic.twitter.com/7A7lbEzLdC
