India, July 11 -- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly dismissed ongoing speculation over a leadership change in the state, asserting that there is "no vacancy" for the top post and reiterating his commitment to serve the full five-year term.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Thursday, Siddaramaiah brushed aside rumours that he might step down to make way for his deputy, D K Shivakumar, later this year. "Am I not sitting here as the Chief Minister? Where is the vacancy? D K Shivakumar himself has clarified this, and I'm saying the same, there's no vacancy for the CM post," he said firmly.

His remarks come amid renewed buzz within political circles that Shivakumar could be given the reins in November, when the Congress ...