Shut your mouths: DK Shivakumar to Congress workers on Karnataka CM post

BENGALURU : DK Shivakumar, deputy CM and KPCC president, issued a stern warning Saturday, asking party functionaries to refrain from making public statements on leadership issues.
While urging members to “shut their mouths”, he warned that disciplinary action will be taken against those who fail to comply. “There has been no discussion on DCMs, and there is no question of discussing the CM’s position, too,” he said .
‘Will take action if anyone raises CM issue’
The pontiff (Kumara Chandrashekara Swami) has spoken out of love for me.I request all swamijis with folded hands not to interfere in political matters. The party high command will decide based on my work,” Shivakumar said after returning from a twoday trip to Delhi.
However, despite the warning, cooperation minister KN Rajanna struck a defiant note, saying he won’t heed the warnings unless everyone in the party followed the gag order. There have been rising voices within and outside Congress party in Karnataka, seeking Shivakumar’s elevation to the post of CM, even as some party functionaries have been publicly rooting for three additional deputy CM posts.
“Kharge [AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge], Siddaramaiah [the chief minister], and I have decided how to function. So, there is no need for any MLA or minister or Swamiji to speak. If they (seers) bless us, that’s enough,” he added.
“If any MLA or anyone from the party raises it, the AICC or I will be forced to issue a notice and take disciplinary action,” he added.
However, Rajanna, who has been advocating for more DCM posts to ensure what he cited as community-wise representation, said: “I won’t heed the warnings. Let the notice be issued, I will respond to it. If everyone follows, we too will follow. If everyone keeps quiet, we will also keep quiet. Can we keep quiet listening to someone saying that Siddaramaiah should resign to make him (Shivakumar) CM?” Rajanna questioned.
Shivakumar’s brother and former MP DK Suresh also defied the gag order with a cryptic statement: “All 33 ministers in Siddaramaiah’s cabinet can be appointed as deputy CMs. If (Shivakumar’s critics in the cabinet) have such a desire for power, they should contest the elections under their leadership, secure a majority, and take up whatever role they want.”