Leadership speculation: Ministers huddle with Kharge in Bengaluru; CM, Deputy CM in Delhi
Udayavani July 11, 2025 04:39 AM

Bengaluru: Several key ministers in the Karnataka cabinet on Thursday huddled with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence here, even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar are camped in New Delhi, amid speculation about CM change later this year.

Interestingly, the meeting came on a day, Siddaramaiah asserted there was “no vacancy” for the CM’s post as he was very much in the chair, debunking talk of a possible change of leadership in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Siddaramaiah claimed that he would complete his five-year tenure as chief minister and brushed aside talk of him paving the way for his deputy Shivakumar, to take over later this year.

According to reports, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are in Delhi, expecting a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders.

However, the push for Shivakumar to become the CM refuses to die down with some MLAs openly making statements in this regard.

The ministers who met Kharge include — Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister H K Patil, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa, Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil.

While some ministers claimed that it was a courtesy meeting as the Congress President was in the city, few said they discussed political developments in the state, but refused to divulge details.

“It was a cordial meeting as our national president had come, we met him. He inquired about the government’s current activities and we discussed it, also the political situation,” Jarkiholi said.

When asked about the meeting taking place in the backdrop of the CM’s statement, he said the meeting was fixed about three days ago and the statement came only this morning. “There is no connection”.

Khandre and Rao, not sharing as to what transpired at the meeting, stated that all speculation in the media should be put to rest, as Siddaramaiah and high command have clarified that leadership change was not on cards.

There has been speculation within political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the Chief Minister change later this year, citing power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Earlier in the day, Congress MLC and Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra asserted that his father will complete a full five-year term in office.

He said any decision on the leadership change has to be made by the Congress high command and MLAs. AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala has clarified that no such issue is before the party leadership for consideration.

Jarkiholi, earlier today, reacting to the CM’s statement on continuing in office, said there is nothing new in it, as he had reiterated what he said recently, and the media has to now put an end to speculation about the chief minister change.

Only 10 per cent of legislators in the party may be discussing leadership change, Jarkiholi, who is considered close to Siddaramaiah, said. The CM’s reiteration about completing a full five years term is a clear message for them. “Match close…”, he added.

Responding to a question about Siddaramaiah’s reported statement that Shivakumar has the support of fewer MLAs, he said, “There was voting done (at the legislature party meeting) while choosing CM after 2023 assembly polls, and as Siddaramaiah got majority votes (of MLAs), he was made the chief minister. On the basis of that, he might have said that he has the support of more MLAs.” Mahadevappa, another confidant of Siddaramaiah, said the latter was announced as the CM after high command gathered the opinion of MLAs at the legislature party meeting, following the assembly poll results in 2023.

“Siddaramaiah has now reiterated (on completing 5 years in office) based on what the high command had decided. I welcome his statement….Congress General Secretary, CM and DCM have said no discussion on leadership change, so Siddaramaiah will continue as CM,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kunigal MLA Ranganath reiterating his wish that Shivakumar become the CM said the latter has worked for 40 years to build the party and he was the main reason for party getting 140 seats in the Assembly polls.

“Party workers and many legislators wish that Shivakumar becomes the CM one day, the high command will decide…” he said.

Taking a dig at ruling Congress, BJP leader R Ashoka said the ruling party today is a court of contention, and its leaders are more preoccupied with power than with people.

“… now that Siddaramaiah has declared himself the supreme leader, Kharge finally has his answer, the real high command of Congress isn’t in Delhi. It’s in Bengaluru,” he said.

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a “rotational chief minister formula,” according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.

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