Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Dismisses Leadership Change Speculation Despite Deputy's Supporters' Demands

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed visible frustration on Monday when a reporter questioned him about potential leadership changes in the state government.

Speculation has been circulating regarding a possible leadership transition in Karnataka as the Congress government approaches the midpoint of its five-year term later this month, an anticipated development that some have labeled the "November revolution."

Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been vocal in advocating for his elevation to the Chief Minister position.

"Don't you have anything else to ask? Let people talk about whatever they want, but who is the high command? Have Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, or Mallikarjun Kharge spoken about this?" Siddaramaiah retorted, referencing senior Congress leadership.

"Why are you always talking about it? Why was there a need to ask this question now? Other than the high command, others talking about this has no significance," he emphasized.

Siddaramaiah further mentioned that he would discuss cabinet reshuffle possibilities with the party's high command after the conclusion of Bihar assembly elections, scheduled for November 6 and November 11.

Following the Karnataka assembly election results in May 2023, there was significant competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's position. The Congress party ultimately persuaded Shivakumar to accept the Deputy Chief Minister role.

Some media reports at that time suggested an arrangement based on a "rotational chief minister formula," whereby Shivakumar would assume leadership from Siddaramaiah after two-and-a-half years. However, these reports were strongly denied by both leaders and other party officials.

Siddaramaiah recently affirmed that he intends to complete the full five-year term in office, subject to decisions from the Congress high command.

Last week, Shivakumar also emphasized the complete unity within the state government, stating that there is no need for media or Congress members to search for a leader.

"Only what the Chief Minister and I have spoken matters. Apart from that, no one else's words carry any value," declared Shivakumar, who also leads the Karnataka unit of Congress.