DK Shivakumar Hints at Stepping Down as Karnataka Congress Chief Amid Chief Minister Succession Talks

DK Shivakumar currently serves as both Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and the Congress' state unit president (File).

Bengaluru:

Senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar rekindled speculation Wednesday regarding his ongoing power struggle with Siddaramaiah over Karnataka's Chief Minister position, suggesting he might step down as the party's state unit president. During a Congress event in Bengaluru, Shivakumar remarked, "I cannot hold the post permanently... it has already been five-and-a-half years and in March it will be six."

Shivakumar then reassured his supporters - many of whom had intensely pressured Congress leadership in June and July this year to replace Siddaramaiah with Shivakumar - that he would remain active in the party's state leadership. "Don't worry... I will be in the front line."

"It is a different matter - will I remain President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee..." he continued, "... but in my tenure I want 100 Congress offices opened in the state. I wanted to relinquish this responsibility when I took over as Deputy Chief Minister... but Rahul Gandhi and (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge asked me to continue. So, I did my duty."

Following the event, Shivakumar told reporters he was attempting to set a precedent, stating "No one can be permanent..." while supporters chanted slogans declaring him the next Chief Minister.

On Tuesday, Shivakumar made another notable comment regarding MLAs' ministerial ambitions: "Those who work hard will have aspirations. Can we say it is wrong?" When questioned about leadership changes, he simply advised, "Consult an astrologer..."

Why is Shivakumar's statement significant?

After the 2023 election - where Congress decisively defeated the BJP through a campaign orchestrated by Shivakumar - both he and Siddaramaiah competed for the Chief Minister's position. Siddaramaiah's supporters had cited the party's 'one man, one post' policy, which would have disqualified Shivakumar, who had been serving as Karnataka Congress president since May 2020.

RECAP | Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar Is Not New. A Look At What Happened In 2023

What ensued were days of intense negotiations until Congress ultimately selected Siddaramaiah, who enjoyed support from marginalized communities, minorities, and a majority of MLAs. Shivakumar was presented with two options.

He accepted the offer that made him Deputy Chief Minister while allowing him to retain his position as Congress state unit president.

Siddaramaiah has maintained he will complete his five-year term as Karnataka Chief Minister (File).

This arrangement came with rumors of a power-sharing agreement whereby Siddaramaiah would step down after two-and-a-half years. In June 2025, Shivakumar's supporters made specific references to this 'agreement' which, if accurate, becomes due this month. The Congress subsequently deployed troubleshooter Randeep Surjewala - who had brokered the original compromise - to mediate once again.

RECAP | "Answer Is No": Congress Not Considering Karnataka Chief Minister Change

Nevertheless, Shivakumar's supporters made it clear, despite his public requests for restraint, that they would continue demanding leadership change. With this context, resigning as Congress state unit chief now, with the rumored power-sharing deadline approaching, would eliminate a key argument used by Shivakumar's critics to deny him consideration for the Chief Minister position.

The June-July conflict concluded with apparent cordiality, with both leaders holding hands and high-fiving during an event in Mysuru. "Our government will last for five years... like a rock," Siddaramaiah declared. Shivakumar smiled and remained silent.

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