India, July 2 -- Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said he will support chief minister Siddaramaiah and follow the decision of the Congress high command, amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change in the state.

"What option do I have? I have to stand by him, support him (Siddaramaiah). I don't have any objection to it. Whatever the party high command tells and whatever it desires, it will be fulfilled," Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru.

Shivakumar's statement came as rumours of a rift within the Karnataka Congress were rife, especially after party general secretary Randeep Surjewala held a series of meetings with MLAs in the state.

He said that Surjewala's meeting with lawmakers was aimed ...