Siddaramaiah says he, Shivakumar should abide by high command decision on leadership issue
Bengaluru (PTI): Expressing displeasure about repeated media queries on the leadership change issue in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that he and his deputy D K Shivakumar should abide by the Congress high command's decision on the matter.
The CM also tried to play down reports about Congress legislators planning for a foreign tour, amid ongoing power tussle between him and Shivakumar for the CM post, stating that he was not aware of it, and that they may be going personally by spending their own money.
"Can't you (media) ask anything other than this (leadership change issue)? You don't ask anything else, only this. It has been three months since you began this. Please don't ask me this again," a visibly upset Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
The CM was reacting to a question by reporters on former Congress MP and Shivakumar's brother D K Suresh's statement, with reference to the informal power-sharing pact that -- he is "still hopeful that, though delayed, the CM will keep his word."
Siddaramaiah further said, "The high command is aware, they will decide. I will abide by their decision. How many times should I tell you (reporters) this?"
He said, "Whether me or Shivakumar, we should abide by the high command's decision. The matter is left for the high command to decide. You (media) repeatedly ask the same thing. Don't you have anything else to ask?"
When told by reporters they were only seeking his response to the statement made by Suresh, Siddaramaiah said, "Ask those who make the statement. Why do you ask me? I will abide by the high command's decision."
Shivakumar, ahead of leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday, said that he has "no confusion" over the leadership issue, as he and Siddaramaiah have discussed the matter in presence of the Congress high command.
The power struggle between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah has once again come to the fore, with the latter's son and MLC Yathindra last week insisting that his father will complete his five year team, with the party high command having given signal in this regard.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government formation in 2023.
To a question on some Congress legislators reportedly planning for a tour to Australia and New Zealand, the CM said, "If they go spending their own money, can we say no? MLAs and MLCs will be going on a foreign trip spending their own money."
Asked whether he is aware of the proposed foreign tour, he said, "No, I'm not aware of it."
To a query about the state budget, Siddaramaiah said, "I will announce the date after the festival (Shivaratri which is on February 15)."
Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, is holding a series of pre-budget meetings with various departments.
The 2026-27 Budget is likely to be presented in March, according to official sources. This would be Siddaramaiah's record 17th budget.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
