The Congress has reportedly replaced Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with his deputy DK Shivakumar, marking a significant political development within the party’s state leadership structure. The change, which has been in discussion since November last year, is linked to an alleged post-2023 assembly election understanding within the party regarding a rotational leadership arrangement.

According to the reported arrangement following the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar had agreed to a power-sharing formula under which both leaders would occupy the chief ministerial post for 2.5 years each. With Siddaramaiah having completed his tenure, Shivakumar is now expected to take over leadership responsibilities, while the party shifts focus to the composition of the new cabinet. With the leadership transition underway, the Congress is now confronted with internal demands over the structure of the Shivakumar-led cabinet.

Party discussions are increasingly focused on balancing regional, caste, and organisational representation while finalising ministerial positions in the state government. Among the proposals being discussed is the possible elevation of Karnataka minister Eshwar Khandre as deputy chief minister. Some party workers, in a letter addressed to Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala, argued that Khandre’s administrative experience and social representation make him a strong candidate for the role.

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The letter also highlighted his influence within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community and described his leadership as a “balanced model” that could strengthen the party’s outreach across Karnataka. It added that his promotion would help reinforce confidence among party cadres and improve organisational cohesion at the grassroots level.

Separately, a group of lawmakers has also sought greater representation for leaders from Kolar district in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle. They met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi and requested that multiple ministerial positions be allocated to MLAs from the region, as the party prepares for a cabinet meeting scheduled to review the reshuffle process.

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