Rubbishing the speculation of a leadership change in Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah on Monday said he will discuss cabinet reshuffle with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge after
the Bihar elections. “What people say doesn’t matter. Has the High Command said anything,” Siddaramaiah asked, when quizzed about the leadership change buzz. The debate has been raging on in Karnataka with Siddaramaiah about to finish 2.5 years in office soon. “I will discuss cabinet reshuffle with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge after the Bihar elections…People can say whatever they want. Who is the High command? Has Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge said anything? More than people, it is the media which is discussing it. Apart from the High command, what others say doesn’t matter,” he said. Last week, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, while speaking to News18, had emphasised on the crucial role of Siddaramaiah’s support and blessing for the Congress party’s future success in the state, not just in the upcoming 2028 elections but beyond. Speaking to CNN-News18, Shivakumar firmly stated that the Congress government in the state would face significant challenges without the veteran leader. “Without Siddaramaiah’s blessing and support, Congress party will find it difficult,” Shivakumar said, stressing the importance of the Chief Minister’s experience and backing.
Why the speculation
Siddaramaiah’sstatement comes at a time when significant political developments are anticipated in Delhi as Karnataka’s ruling Congress completes a crucial juncture, with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar preparing to visit the national capital to meet the party high command. The visits, scheduled soon after the Bihar Assembly election results, are expected to force a resolution to the state’s ongoing leadership tussle and speculation regarding a potential change of guard.
DKS is tentatively slated to travel around November 11, while the Chief Minister is expected to be in Delhi around November 15, a day after the Bihar results are announced. The timing is critical, as Siddaramaiah recently completed two-and-a-half years in office — the period often cited in the rumoured power-sharing pact. While the offices of both leaders maintain the visits are for administrative or other reasons, sources indicate the real agenda is a high-stakes engagement with the central leadership.
DKS’s supporters are anticipated to press for the execution of the reported mid-term agreement that would elevate him to the Chief Minister’s post. Conversely, Siddaramaiah is expected to seek the high command’s approval for a significant Cabinet reshuffle — a move seen as an effort to drop non-performing ministers and cement his position for a full five-year tenure.
Siddaramaiah’s stance
Siddaramaiah had at the recent ‘Rising Karnataka summit’ hinted at a possible re-entry into electoral politics in 2028, despite earlier intentions to retire.
“I had said I won’t contest in 2028 elections. But all my friends are saying I should contest 2028 because it will help the party. I haven’t decided on it,” theChief Minister had said, leaving the door open for a final decision based on party needs.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post after the assembly election results came out in May 2023. The Congress managed to convince the latter to accept the post of deputy chief minister. There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached, according to which Shivakumar would become CM after two-and-half years, but this was never officially confirmed by the party.
Within days of taking charge, Siddaramaiahhad said, “Who has made the confusing statement?…For five years, our government will be there…I’m the chief minister, I will continue.”
