Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Meets Congress President Kharge Amid Leadership Change Rumors

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met with Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru on Saturday, firmly rejecting rumors about potential leadership changes in the state administration.

The Chief Minister characterized his visit with Kharge, who had returned from New Delhi the previous evening, as merely a courtesy call.

Just a day earlier, Siddaramaiah, who is engaged in a power struggle with Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar, firmly stated that he would remain in his position and continue to present state budgets in the future. In response to this assertion, Shivakumar simply wished him "all the best."

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Kharge, Siddaramaiah explained, "Besides the courtesy visit, we discussed organizational matters and upcoming local body elections, including the Bengaluru municipal polls." When questioned about potential leadership changes in Karnataka, the Chief Minister dismissed the idea, saying, "That is purely speculation. The media created this narrative." He added that he did not inquire why certain Congress MLAs from Karnataka had met with Kharge in Delhi.

Siddaramaiah posted on social media: "ಎಐಸಿಸಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ‌ ಖರ್ಗೆ ಅವರನ್ನು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಅವರ ನಿವಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ, ಸಮಾಲೋಚನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ." along with a photo of their meeting.

"If I needed information about why the MLAs met with Kharge, I would obtain it from the intelligence department. I haven't asked the MLAs about their visit to Delhi," he stated. "The MLAs are free to go to Delhi. Ultimately, every leader, every minister, including myself and D K Shivakumar, must follow the decisions of the party high command."

According to Congress sources, at least 15 MLAs and approximately twelve MLCs had traveled to New Delhi to pressure the Congress high command to appoint Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Reports suggest this demand is based on an alleged power-sharing agreement made in 2023, stipulating that Siddaramaiah would serve as Chief Minister for two and a half years (until November 2025) before transferring leadership to Shivakumar.

Meanwhile, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy claimed "explosive developments" were forthcoming within the Congress party and advised party members to prepare accordingly.