New Delhi, July 9 -- Adding fuel to the ongoing speculation about Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's possible shift to national politics, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today strongly endorsed Siddaramaiah's leadership and hinted at his role in the party's national backward class strategy. "Along with being the present Chief Minister, he will also contribute in his own way to strengthen the Congress Party and support backward classes," Shivakumar told reporters, describing Siddaramaiah as "one of the leaders of the backward classes of the Congress party." The statement comes at a time when the Congress high command is reportedly considering elevating Siddaramaiah to a national role, possibly as part of a larger strategy to energis...