Karnataka CM Change Buzz Grows as Congress Leadership Meets

Siddaramaiah is now reported to step down from his position as the Chief Minister, with Congress party reportedly not confirming. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is viewed as one of the strongest contenders for CM, is at the heart of the discussion. Still, there is no finalized ruling on the decision-making regarding Shivakumar and whether he will become the next Chief Minister or whether the party leadership will take on another person.The rumours grew after Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar left for Delhi on Tuesday to visit senior Congress leaders. It is said discussions with top party leadership were held around political developments in Karnataka at that meeting. After the meeting, minister G Parameshwara said no one who isn’t in the meeting room knows precisely what had been discussed in public.

Karnataka Congress under the leadership of Randeep Surjewala is also arriving in Bengaluru, and the situation should be clear soon, he said. “We do not yet know the inside of discussions. And what KC Venugopal said publicly we only know,” Parameshwara said to reporters. Congress leader KC Venugopal attempted to cast aside the resignation rumours and explained that the meeting in Delhi was centered on upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and Karnataka Legislative Council seats. The talks on leadership at this juncture are purely speculation, he said. But reports from people on the ground indicate that the Congress upper echelons may be urging Siddaramaiah to walk away from the CM role.For his part, he might be offered a Rajya Sabha seat and a cabinet position for his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah. 

The Congress party has not formally declared a leadership change in Karnataka yet. Political reports have shown that Siddaramaiah would not entirely be able to accept the role of Chief Minister in DK Shivakumar. Congressional leaders also reported to Siddaramaiah that the ultimate decision on representation and leadership would be made by the party senior leadership in Congress — Mallikarjun Kharge. 

Interestingly, Siddaramaiah has invited DK Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting on May 28. Political authorities say this meeting is likely to determine Karnataka’s next leadership. It is not the first time rumours of a leadership change have been reported in Karnataka. The same kind of political dynamics had come to the fore at the end of 2022 and large issues were now under discussion domestically and beyond the party Congress. As we watch at this time, the eyes are on Bengaluru and Delhi to see if Siddaramaiah will hold the same post as Chief Minister or Karnataka is heading towards another dramatic political transition. It was expected immediately after the Congress leadership had declared its stand.