New Delhi, July 2 -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nishikant Dubey has claimed that the Congress has finalised a leadership change in Karnataka and that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will take over as Chief Minister in November.

His remark comes even as Congress leaders, including Shivakumar himself, have denied any such move.

Dubey alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be made to resign due to "old age" and linked the claim to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

"The deal for Karnataka Congress is finalised; in November, DK Shivakumar will become the new Chief Minister, and Siddaramaiah will be made to resign citing old age. Is it Kharge ji's turn next? Preparations for a repeat of Sitaram Kesri ji's dhoti-strippi...