Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Future Depends on Congress High Command Decision

Mangaluru:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Monday that his continuation in office for the full five-year term would depend on the Congress high command's decision.

Speculation has been circulating about a potential leadership change when the Congress government reaches its midterm in November—a period some refer to as the "November revolution." Despite these rumors, Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained that he intends to complete a full five-year term.

When questioned about whether he would remain chief minister for the entire five years, Siddaramaiah responded to reporters, "If the high command decides." Regarding his close associate and former minister KN Rajanna's statement supporting his continuation as CM, Siddaramaiah remarked, "It is his personal opinion."

Addressing the multiple chief ministerial aspirants within the Congress, Siddaramaiah explained, "In a democracy, we cannot tell those in the race not to compete. It is their right. Anyone may claim to be a chief ministerial candidate, but ultimately, the high command will decide." When asked why the leadership change issue keeps resurfacing, he attributed it to media persistence, saying, "It is because you (the media) keep asking."

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, returning from New Delhi, responded to the CM's statement by saying, "What is there after the CM has said it? We will abide by what he says." Rumors about a leadership change within the ruling Congress have persisted for some time, with reports suggesting a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

There was intense competition between these two leaders for the top position following the Assembly election results in May 2023. The Congress high command eventually persuaded Shivakumar to accept the deputy CM position.

At that time, reports indicated that a "rotational chief minister" arrangement had been agreed upon, where Shivakumar would assume leadership after two and a half years. However, this has never been officially confirmed by the party.

Earlier in the day, Rajanna, a Congress MLA from the Madhugiri constituency, told reporters in Bengaluru that Siddaramaiah was "indispensable" to the Congress.

"I have said it earlier in the Assembly—just as B S Yediyurappa is indispensable for the BJP and the Deve Gowda family for the JD(S), Siddaramaiah is indispensable for the Congress. Everyone accepts this as the truth, though some say nobody is indispensable to the party. From my experience, I can say Siddaramaiah is indeed indispensable to the Congress," he stated.

Rajanna added that if the party high command permits Siddaramaiah to proceed with a cabinet reshuffle as the government completes 2.5 years in office, his leadership will remain "unaffected." Without such permission, he warned, there could be "political activity."

Meanwhile, Shivakumar clarified that his Delhi visit was personal, explaining he had gone to meet and offer condolences to senior Congress Working Committee member Ambika Soni, whose husband had recently passed away.

Dismissing reports that he had met with high command leaders, the Deputy CM said, "Let anyone discuss anything they want. I can only say for what purpose I had gone."