Congress Leader Signals Siddaramaiah May Remain Karnataka Chief Minister

Speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka’s Congress government has been dismissed by senior party leader BK Hariprasad, even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met the Congress high command in Delhi for discussions on governance and political strategy. Hariprasad said the meeting with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was focused on Karnataka’s administrative priorities and long-term political planning, rather than any decision on replacing the chief minister.

He added that Siddaramaiah had been called for consultations as part of routine discussions on the state’s functioning. “I do not know the exact agenda, but the discussions will revolve around Karnataka’s political strategy for the coming years, especially with Assembly elections due in two years. They will also deliberate on issues related to the SIR matter and steps to be taken within the party and the government,” Hariprasad said, rejecting suggestions of internal conflict over leadership.

He further described reports of a leadership change as media-driven speculation, arguing that such narratives were being amplified without basis. According to him, the Congress leadership structure remains stable and capable of managing internal matters without external influence or interpretation. Taking a political swipe at the opposition, Hariprasad said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should focus on its own organisational issues instead of commenting on Congress internal affairs. He reiterated that discussions around a change in Karnataka’s leadership existed only in media reports and not in formal party deliberations.

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Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar attended a high-level meeting with the Congress leadership at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. While no official statement was issued on the outcome of the discussions, sources indicated that the meeting covered Karnataka’s governance priorities, organisational matters, and possible cabinet adjustments as the party prepares for the 2028 Assembly elections.

The issue of leadership balance between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has been a recurring theme within Karnataka politics, with periodic speculation about internal power-sharing arrangements. However, party leaders continue to publicly maintain that the focus remains on governance and organisational stability rather than any immediate change in leadership.

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