Bengaluru, July 2 (UNI) Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain today reiterated his earlier stance seeking DK Shivakumar as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, clarifying that he has not backtracked on his statement and that his request was made in line with the sentiments of several leaders.

"I haven’t changed it," Hussain responded when asked if he still stood by his statement demanding leadership change in the state. He revealed that he had submitted a formal request to Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala to appoint Shivakumar as the Chief Minister, asserting, “That was my request. I expressed what was on my mind, what I felt. Now, let the high command decide.”

On the party leadership’s stance ruling out a change in leadership, Hussain said, “To say there will be no leadership change under any circumstance—that’s the high command’s opinion. I merely expressed my opinion.”

When his attention was drawn to Congress leader Basavaraj Rayareddy backing CM Siddaramaiah and downplaying the possibility of any change, Hussain replied, “You should ask him. You asked for my opinion, I shared it. Why should I speak for everyone?”

In response to whether any MLAs had directly conveyed to him their desire for a change in leadership, Hussain said, “I know my strength, and I’ve already said it. Senior guardian MLAs are with us.”

The remarks come amid growing internal speculation and public statements by Congress leaders over a possible shift in Karnataka's leadership, a matter the party's central leadership has so far refused to entertain.

Hussain has been issued a showcause notice to Hussain for publicly urging that Shivakumar should become CM. The notice cited embarrassment to the party and breach of discipline, and gave him one week to respond.

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