Siddaramaiah Meets Kharge, Firmly Rejects Talk of Leadership Change in Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a pointed visit to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Saturday, using the platform to firmly quash swirling rumours of an imminent change of guard in the state and project an image of complete control despite escalating internal rebellion. The meeting, held a day after Kharge returned from official duties, was officially described by Siddaramaiah as a courtesy call.

However, sources indicate the discussions delved deeply into organisational consolidation, electoral strategy for forthcoming local body polls—especially the crucial Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike elections—and the growing restlessness among a section of party legislators demanding adherence to a reported power-sharing understanding.

Emerging before the media, Siddaramaiah categorically rejected speculation about his exit, asserting that such narratives were purely media-driven and lacked substance. He reaffirmed his intention to remain in office for the full term and personally present future state budgets, a statement seen as a direct rebuttal to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s faction, which has been aggressively projecting the latter as the next chief minister.

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The Chief Minister adopted a measured yet assertive tone on party discipline, stating that ultimate authority rests with the Congress high command and every leader, including himself and Shivakumar, is bound to accept its verdict. Notably, he disclosed that he had neither questioned the MLAs who rushed to Delhi nor sought explanations from Kharge, adding that any required intelligence about their activities would come through official channels rather than personal confrontation.

The episode has intensified the ongoing power tussle, with reports confirming that at least 15 MLAs and over a dozen MLCs have camped in the national capital to lobby for Shivakumar’s elevation, citing an alleged 2023 rotational formula that would see Siddaramaiah step down by November 2025. Meanwhile, former chief minister and Union minister H D Kumaraswamy has publicly predicted “explosive developments” within the Congress, hinting at a potential organisational implosion in the coming weeks.

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