Sidda clarifies K'taka leadership issue

THE simmering leadership tussle within ruling Congress spilled onto the floor of the Legislative Assembly on Monday, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledging that the party high command will take the final decision on his continuation, even as he asserted that the Congress government will complete its full five-year term.

- SUNIL PATIL @Belagavi

The politically charged exchange unfolded during the question hour when Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka asked whether Siddaramaiah would remain chief minister till the end of the term amid growing speculation over leadership change. As the debate intensified, Siddaramaiah urged the opposition "not to add fuel to the fire", prompting Ashoka to retort that if a fire had indeed broken out within Congress, the House deserved to know whether Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister.