Leadership Rumblings Persist in Karnataka as CM Siddaramaiah Meets Kharge Again

Bengaluru: Speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka resurfaced on Saturday night, even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for the second time in a week. Despite spending over an hour at Kharge’s Sadashivanagar residence, the CM insisted that the talk of a transition was “media-driven” and not rooted in any formal deliberations within the party.

---

Two Meetings in One Week Fuel Political Buzz

Siddaramaiah had earlier met Kharge in New Delhi this week, triggering questions about whether the Congress high command is considering a mid-term change of guard. Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s meeting, he maintained that he would abide by whatever decision the leadership eventually makes.

“My position is clear — I will follow whatever the high command decides,” he said when asked if he had clarity about continuing as Chief Minister.

He described the meeting as a “courtesy call”, adding that discussions centred around the upcoming elections to zilla panchayats, taluk panchayats, and Bengaluru civic bodies. He insisted no conversation took place regarding a Cabinet reshuffle, despite his long-running push to reorganize his ministerial team.

---

Shivakumar’s Aspirations Add to Tension

The Congress government completed two-and-a-half years in office on November 20 — a milestone that has revived the power-sharing question between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.

While Siddaramaiah is keen on refreshing his Cabinet, Shivakumar has made it clear through his recent remarks that he expects the party to decide his role before any reshuffle is undertaken. His supporters have also been increasingly visible in Delhi, adding to the atmosphere of uncertainty.

Asked about MLAs visiting the capital, Siddaramaiah responded that every Congress leader must ultimately follow the high command’s decision — including himself, ministers, and Shivakumar. “I will go to Delhi whenever they call me,” he said.

---

‘Not Dull, Not Overly Happy’

When journalists pointed out that he appeared less energetic than usual, the Chief Minister pushed back lightly: “I am never dull. But yes, I am not excessively happy either,” he remarked, hinting at the strain surrounding the situation.

---

BJP Dismisses Rumours of Talks With Shivakumar

Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra dismissed speculation that Shivakumar might be exploring options outside the Congress, calling such reports “baseless”.

“He is not in touch with the BJP, and we are not interested in Congress’s internal affairs,” Vijayendra said on Saturday.

---

What Comes Next

The Congress central leadership has so far remained silent publicly on the possibility of a leadership transition in Karnataka. With local body elections approaching and internal pressure from both factions, party insiders expect clarity to emerge only after consultations in Delhi pick up pace.