Siddaramaiah Or DK Shivakumar? Congress May Finally Take Karnataka Leadership Call By Month-End

The Congress party’s internal leadership tussle in Karnataka between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is expected to reach a decisive stage by the end of May, as the party high command prepares to hold a crucial meeting to resolve the long-running issue.

According to party sources, the Congress leadership in New Delhi is likely to convene a high-level meeting by the end of the month to review “all issues” concerning Karnataka, including the unresolved question of leadership. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may also be called to Delhi for direct discussions with senior leaders as the state government approaches its three-year mark in office.

The rivalry between the two leaders has persisted since the Congress formed the government in Karnataka in 2023, following a decisive electoral victory. While an informal power-sharing understanding was widely reported, differences over its implementation have repeatedly triggered tensions. The issue resurfaced around the two-and-a-half-year mark of the government, when Shivakumar’s supporters publicly signalled their expectations of a leadership change, prompting intervention by the party high command to defuse the situation.

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The matter has gained renewed urgency in recent weeks, with Shivakumar making ambiguous public remarks and supporters once again displaying “Next CM” messaging during his birthday celebrations. At the same time, Siddaramaiah is reported to have been awaiting clarity on a Cabinet reshuffle, which has been delayed amid the leadership uncertainty. The timing is politically sensitive, with the government completing three years in office and preparing for future electoral challenges, including upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.

Party sources suggest that the Congress leadership is currently reluctant to immediately replace Siddaramaiah, citing his political experience and support base among backward communities and Dalits. Any leadership change is also seen as politically significant for the party’s broader social justice narrative, given Siddaramaiah’s position as the only Chief Minister from a backward caste among Congress-ruled states.

As the internal consultations intensify, key party leaders including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Organisation Secretary K C Venugopal, and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala are expected to engage both state leaders before a final decision is taken. However, final authority is expected to rest with senior leadership, as the Congress moves toward resolving one of its most closely watched state-level leadership disputes.

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