The leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress resurfaced prominently on February 12, 2026, just ahead of the state budget presentation, as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar camped in New Delhi for discussions with the party high command while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah continued pre-budget preparations.
Shivakumar's three-day visit to the capital, where he attended party meetings but reportedly did not directly address the leadership issue with top leaders like AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge due to their Parliament commitments, has reignited speculation over a possible power-sharing arrangement or chief ministerial change. The row gained fresh momentum after Siddaramaiah's son and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah asserted that the high command had signaled no leadership change, allowing the CM to complete his full five-year term, prompting sharp reactions from the Shivakumar camp.
The internal friction traces back to November 2025, when the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its term, reviving claims of an alleged understanding—discussed in the presence of senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal—that Siddaramaiah would hold office for 2.5 years before making way for Shivakumar. Shivakumar has maintained there is "no confusion" on the matter, insisting discussions occurred transparently with the high command and warning party functionaries against public comments that could damage the party. He has also claimed broad support among the 136 Congress MLAs, countering earlier assertions from some quarters that 80-90 MLAs backed his elevation. Siddaramaiah, visibly annoyed by repeated questions on the issue, reiterated that he would fully abide by any decision taken by the Congress high command, emphasizing his focus on governance and the upcoming budget.
The timing of the renewed debate has drawn attention, as Siddaramaiah—holding the finance portfolio—is chairing pre-budget consultations with various departments for what would be his record 17th budget, tentatively slated for early March 2026. Shivakumar skipped a key pre-budget meeting on departments under his charge to travel to Delhi, a move seen by observers as sharpening the focus on internal tensions. The high command has maintained silence on a public clarification, with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal previously advising leaders to refrain from commenting on power-sharing. This vacuum has allowed camps to continue indirect exchanges, including statements from Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh urging Siddaramaiah to "keep his word" on any prior arrangement.
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The ongoing tussle highlights persistent factionalism within Karnataka Congress despite its strong electoral performance in 2023. While Siddaramaiah prioritizes administrative continuity and budget preparations, the Shivakumar faction appears intent on sustaining pressure for resolution. The high command's eventual stance will be critical, particularly as the state government approaches key policy announcements and potential cabinet reshuffles. For now, both leaders publicly defer to the central leadership, but the spotlight on internal dynamics risks distracting from governance priorities ahead of the crucial fiscal exercise. The episode underscores the delicate balance the Congress must maintain to avoid perceptions of instability in one of its key stronghold states.
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