Goa, Nov. 17 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday firmly rejected speculation that he plans to step down as the state Congress president, asserting that he remains a "disciplined soldier" of the party.

His clarification comes amid mounting rumours of a leadership overhaul and an impending Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka, following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday.

Shivakumar reiterated that any decision regarding a reshuffle lies entirely with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, noting that such changes would be made only after consultations with the party's central leadership.

He also explained that he had visited Delhi to personally invite Rahul Gandhi and...