NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah signaled stable leadership ahead of upcoming civic polls, firmly dismissing speculation of a chief minister change and affirming that the party high command has ruled out any shift.Speaking amid preparations for local body elections in Bidar, he emphasised unity by noting multiple capable leaders within Congress while deferring final authority to Delhi.Responding to post-budget rumours of replacing CM Siddaramaiah, Yathindra said, “They have been saying this, but the high command has clearly sent a message that there won’t be any change in the leadership.”He further dismissed such claims, stating, “I don’t think there will be reason to speculate that there will be a change in the leadership.”Elaborating on his stance, he noted that while there are many capable leaders within the party, it does not automatically imply an impending change in leadership.He said, “There are many leaders in Congress who deserve to, who can become chief minister. But the high command has to decide now. They have not told anything that there will be change in the leadership. So for now, I think the currents they will continue for five years.”

Yathindra on Friday reiterated that the party high command had, through an internal communication, made it very clear that there would be no change in leadership. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he said, “According to me, the high command might not have said it openly, but have given a clear signal that there will not be any leadership change. So I believe that Siddaramaiah will be the CM for five years.”Reacting to his remarks, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, seen as a key contender for the chief minister’s post, responded with sarcasm, “Yathindra is our high command, and let’s accept what he says very respectfully,” while adding that such speculation can only be addressed by the party high command in Delhi.The internal power tussle in the party came into focus after the Congress government in Karnataka completed half of its tenure, rekindling talk of an alleged power-sharing formula between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar.