"No Power-Sharing Deal, I’ll Serve Full Term": Karnataka CM Rules Out Leadership Change

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has unequivocally asserted his determination to serve the full five-year term, categorically denying the existence of any agreement with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to rotate the leadership after 2.5 years. Speaking in the state Assembly on Friday morning, he declared that no such arrangement was ever formalised and expressed confidence in the continued backing of the Congress high command, reinforcing his position amid mounting internal party tensions.

This public rebuttal represents the second time within four days that Siddaramaiah has firmly stated his intent to remain in office, having previously responded to opposition remarks on Tuesday with a similar affirmation of his authority. Throughout the month, he has consistently deferred resolution of the leadership dispute to the party's central command, notably stating on December 2 that he would relinquish the post only upon direct instructions from the Gandhi family leadership.

The latest comments came in the wake of a private dinner organised by senior minister Satish Jarkiholi on Thursday evening, which Siddaramaiah attended alongside close allies such as Home Minister G Parameshwara, conspicuously excluding Shivakumar. The Deputy Chief Minister minimised the significance of his absence when questioned by media, framing the gathering as an ordinary social occasion and questioning why such meetings should attract scrutiny.

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Shivakumar's aspirations for the chief ministership are rooted in purported understandings reached following the Congress party's victory in the 2023 assembly elections, when the high command faced the delicate task of choosing between two formidable contenders representing distinct electoral coalitions. Siddaramaiah commanded substantial support from the influential Ahinda alliance and a majority of newly elected legislators, while Shivakumar drew strength from the dominant Vokkaliga community, leading to his eventual selection with alleged assurances of a future handover that reportedly lapsed in mid-November.

Internal deliberations within the party continue, with sources indicating negotiations over possible transition timelines ranging from as early as April 2026 to the conclusion of the current term. Reports suggest Siddaramaiah has proposed completing his tenure before extending support to Shivakumar in the 2028 elections, a strategy that could consolidate the Congress's hold on both the Ahinda and Vokkaliga vote banks, presenting a unified front against the Bharatiya Janata Party in future contests.

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