Amid talks of a change in leadership in Karnataka, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday did not categorically deny the rumours but instead passed the buck to the party’s high command.
Kharge’s remark comes as Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala’s Bengaluru visit has fueled talks of DK Shivakumar replacing Siddaramaiah as the chief minister.
When asked about the talks that the Karnataka CM would be changed in October, Kharge said, “That is in the hands of the high command, nobody can say here what is going on in the high command. This is left to the high command; they have the power to take further action, but unnecessarily, one should not create a problem.”
Earlier on Sunday, Karnataka Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain claimed that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become the Chief Minister of the state within the next two to three months.
“You all know what our (Congress’s) strength was before this government came to power. Everyone knows who put in the struggle, sweat, effort and interest to achieve this victory. His (Shivakumar’s) strategy and programmes are history now. I don’t believe in speculation. We have full confidence that the high command is aware of the situation and will take an appropriate decision at the right time to give him an opportunity,” Hussain said, when asked if Shivakumar had a chance to become CM.
When asked if Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, would become CM this year, Hussain replied, “Yes, I’m saying it. The date some leaders are hinting at for revolutionary political developments after September—this is what they are talking about. A decision will be made within two to three months.”
Hussain further pointed out that the Congress high command had decided on government formation after the 2023 Assembly polls.
“We were all together in Delhi then. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge made the decision. Everyone knows that. They will take the next decision too—we’ll have to wait and watch,” he said.
Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna has also recently hinted at “revolutionary” political developments in the state after September.
Speculation about a leadership change within the ruling Congress has persisted for some time, linked to an alleged power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Such talk had died down after strong instructions from the party high command.
After the Congress won the Assembly elections in May 2023, there was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the CM’s post.
The Congress managed to convince Shivakumar to accept the Deputy CM role.
Reports at the time suggested a “rotational CM formula,” with Shivakumar set to take over after two-and-a-half years, though this was never officially confirmed.
