Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah declared in Mysuru that his father, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will complete a full five-year term, quashing persistent speculation about a leadership change. Speaking to reporters, Yathindra emphasized that any decision on the chief minister’s post lies with the Congress high command and MLAs, citing AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala’s statement that no such issue is under consideration. “The BJP has been claiming our government will collapse since we came to power, but nothing has happened,” he said, dismissing opposition narratives.

Yathindra acknowledged that as the government nears its 2.5-year mark in November, some Congress leaders, including Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, may aspire for the CM post, but insisted, “According to me, he [Siddaramaiah] will be there for five years.” His remarks aligned with Siddaramaiah’s own assertion in New Delhi on the same day, where the CM declared “no vacancy” for his position and brushed aside rumors of a power-sharing deal with Shivakumar.

Ministers close to Siddaramaiah, including PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, echoed the sentiment, noting that only a small fraction of MLAs discuss a leadership change. Jarkiholi referenced the 2023 legislature party meeting where Siddaramaiah secured majority MLA votes, reinforcing his mandate. Mahadevappa ruled out Siddaramaiah’s interest in national politics, affirming his commitment to Karnataka.

Despite unconfirmed reports of a “rotational CM” agreement post-2023 elections, the Congress leadership has consistently denied such a formula, solidifying Siddaramaiah’s position amid ongoing political jostling.