Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar hinted on Wednesday that he would have to step down as the Karnataka Congress president, but assured his party colleagues that he will be “in leadership” and “on the front line”.

Shivakumar was speaking at a Congress event to mark former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

“Whether I’m around or not is immaterial. But I want to set up 100 new party offices under my tenure,\" Shivakumar said.

When party workers in the audience objected to his expression of uncertainty, Shivakumar said: “I can’t be around permanently. It’s already 5.5 years. In March, it’ll be six years. Others must be given an opportunity.”

Shivakumar was named as the Karnataka Congress president in March 2020.

“But don’t worry,” Shivakumar said. “I’ll be in

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