DK Shivakumar Threatens To Sue Channels Speculating His Resignation

Karnataka Congress President D. K. Shivakumar on Tuesday denied reports speculating his resignation from the party and threatened to take legal action against those who spread rumours.

"Several media organisations are reporting that I will be resigning from the Congress party, if denied the chief minister post. I will file a defamation case against those who spread fake news. Congress party is like my mother and I built it in my state. The high command is with me along with 135 MLAs. There is no question of quitting the party," D.K. Shivakumar said.

Congress high command is expected to declare Karnataka's next chief minister today, ending the hours-long tussle between D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah over the top post.

"If I do not get the CM post, I will to work as an ordinary MLA. Ever since Siddaramaiah joined the party, he has enjoyed all the powers, either as an LOP or as the Chief Minister," Shivakumar reportedly told Mallikarjun Kharge.

However, the Karnataka Congress chief made it clear that he is a responsible man and will not backstab or blackmail the party leadership.

Specualtions are rife that majority of the newly elected MLAs have backed Siddaramaiah for the top post.

Later in the day, Shivakumar met Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence and learnt to have told that he is ready to work as an "ordinary MLA" if he does not get the Chief Minister's post.

Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to hold several meetings with the senior Congress leaders before announcing a name for the CM post.

Congress observers who were at the CLP meeting on Sunday recorded the opinion of newly elected MLAs in Bengaluru and submitted their report to Kharge in Delhi.

The Congress registered a landslide victory with 135 seats while BJP won just 66. The JDS emerged third with only 19 seats.