Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reached out to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for clear guidance amid ongoing speculation about a possible change in the state's top post. Sources indicate Siddaramaiah highlighted the "constant confusion" surrounding leadership and expressed his desire to move forward with a cabinet expansion while seeking to end the uncertainty.

The rumours primarily revolve around an alleged unwritten understanding that Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar would share the Chief Minister's role for 2.5 years each. Siddaramaiah took oath on May 20, 2023, raising expectations of a handover around November 2025, which did not occur, prompting some Shivakumar-aligned MLAs to lobby the high command in Delhi.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the central leadership have repeatedly denied any power-sharing pact, insisting Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term with no confusion from the high command. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have publicly dismissed reports of discord, describing their relationship as cooperative and affirming full loyalty to the party leadership's decisions.

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Shivakumar has stressed that factionalism is not his style, all MLAs work together, and any meetings with senior leaders are routine ahead of expected cabinet changes. He reiterated that both leaders will accept whatever the high command decides at the right time.

The opposition BJP has seized on the situation, accusing the Karnataka Congress of being consumed by an internal power struggle instead of focusing on governance, even as the state unit maintains that stability prevails and the speculation is largely opposition-driven.

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