Siddaramaiah Shuts Down CM Change Speculation, Declares His Position is ‘Secure’

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah firmly dismissed swirling speculations about a leadership change in the State Government on Thursday, labelling the discourse an "unnecessary debate" as his administration marked two and a half years in power. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Chamarajanagar district, Siddaramaiah asserted that his position remains "secure" both now and in the future, emphasising the Congress party's commitment to fulfilling its five-year mandate.

The remarks come amid reports of MLAs aligned with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar travelling to New Delhi to engage with the party's central leadership, fuelling rumours of internal manoeuvring. Siddaramaiah, who assumed office in May 2023 following the Congress's victory in the state assembly elections, reiterated that any decisions on governance, including potential cabinet reshuffles, rest solely with the party high command.

The controversy traces back to an unverified "rotational chief minister formula" reportedly agreed upon between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar ahead of the 2023 polls, under which each would ostensibly hold the top post for 2.5 years to balance factional interests within the state Congress unit. While the arrangement was cited in media reports as the basis for a potential handover around November 2025, neither leader nor the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has officially confirmed its existence.

Siddaramaiah clarified that his earlier comments on a possible cabinet expansion after the halfway mark were misconstrued to ignite leadership change narratives, adding that the high command has made no such overtures. This internal dynamic has persisted since the Congress ousted the BJP-led coalition in 2023, with Shivakumar—also the state party president—positioning himself as a key power broker while maintaining public loyalty to the chief minister.

In a pointed rebuke to the media, Siddaramaiah debunked the notion of a so-called "November revolution", accusing outlets of fabricating the term to sensationalise the situation. "It is you who coined the term. You cooked up this 'revolution'. Hence, there is no 'kranti' or 'bhranti'," he stated, underscoring that the government is laser-focused on delivering manifesto promises like welfare schemes and infrastructure development rather than indulging in power plays. He further vowed to present the upcoming state budgets, signalling his intent to lead through the full term, contingent on the electorate's support in the 2028 elections. Dismissing superstitions linked to visits to Chamarajanagar—where past chief ministers allegedly faced political setbacks—Siddaramaiah quipped that his position has only strengthened post-visit, reinforcing his unflappable demeanour.

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Senior Congress figures echoed Siddaramaiah's stance, with MLA K.N. Rajanna citing an AICC letter that explicitly names Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as deputy, following a closed-door strategy session on regaining ground for the 2028 polls. Shivakumar, for his part, has publicly deferred to the high command while expressing willingness for a cabinet reshuffle to accommodate more legislators but stopped short of demanding the top job.

AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala attributed the buzz to opposition BJP's "maligning campaign" and cautioned party members against inflammatory statements. As Karnataka navigates economic challenges and upcoming elections, the episode highlights the delicate balancing act within the Congress, yet Siddaramaiah's affirmations suggest continuity, with the focus shifting back to governance and voter outreach.

Also Read: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Signals Possible 2028 Run, Awaits Congress High Command Decision