New Delhi, July 9 (Reporter) 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 energise its OBC leadership bench across the country. Shivakumar's remarks, rather than dismissing such talk, appear aligned with that direction. Shivakumar further revealed that a 15-member delegation of senior OBC Congress leaders will be arriving in Karnataka shortly for a party-organised outreach. "Maybe I don’t know, but the day after tomorrow, myself, Siddaramaiah ji, and our general secretary will also have a meeting," he said. The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will be hosting and coordinating this visit, which is being positioned as part of a broader national effort to consolidate OBC support. "KPCC is also connecting and hosting them to conduct a meeting," Shivakumar said, underlining that Siddaramaiah will be playing a lead role in the exercise, even though "he is not the chairman." "This is not the time to discuss politics. There is no vacancy that has been created," Shivakumar added, a statement that has done little to quell speculation and is being seen by political observers as a strategic non-denial. He also alluded to internal party churn, briefly remarking, "Also, some small politics..." without elaborating further. While no official confirmation has been made about Siddaramaiah's future role, Shivakumar's comments suggest that the veteran leader's influence is being recalibrated with a view beyond Karnataka, potentially setting the stage for a larger role in shaping Congress party's national OBC narrative...////...