Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Congress high command must step in and take a final decision to end ongoing speculation over a potential change in leadership in the state.
Rumours of Siddaramaiah’s replacement have persisted for weeks, despite Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala dismissing such talk. The speculation intensified after several MLAs loyal to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi last week, coinciding with the Siddaramaiah government completing two and a half years in office.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have repeatedly maintained that any decision regarding the chief ministership will be taken by the party’s central leadership — and that they will abide by it.
Siddaramaiah has labelled the leadership chatter an “unnecessary debate,” attributing it to recent discussions about an impending cabinet reshuffle. Two of Karnataka’s 34 ministerial positions remain vacant, and he said the Congress high command will decide on filling them.
Adding fuel to the political buzz, Karnataka Minister Shivanand Patil remarked that “many people are in the race for Chief Minister,” questioning what was wrong with aspiring for the post. Home Minister G. Parameshwara also signalled his interest, saying he has “always been in the race” and would consider the role if given the chance.
Last week, Surjewala said he had spoken to both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and alleged that the “defeated and faction-ridden” Karnataka BJP was attempting to malign the Congress government. He also cautioned party leaders against making “needless” comments on leadership change.
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra said the party was unconcerned with Congress infighting, adding that the opposition’s priority is pressuring the government to address farmers’ issues. “We don’t know whether Siddaramaiah will continue or someone else will take over — and we are least bothered,” he said.
