Meanwhile, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar denied any factions within the party, stating, “There are no groups in the party; there is only one group, that is the Congress. Our group has 140 MLAs.” He also accused the BJP of trying to create confusion
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (right) and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. File pic
Amid speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the issue will be resolved after discussions with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Deputy Chief Minister (CM) DK Shivakumar, meanwhile, asserted that the party remains united, reported news agency PTI.
The power tussle has intensified as the Congress Government in Karnataka completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, with reports of a possible power-sharing agreement between CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar dating back to 2023.
“The high command — myself, Rahul ji and Sonia ji — will together take a decision on the issue and resolve it,” Kharge told PTI when asked about the potential leadership change.
His son and Karnataka Minister Priyank dismissed as “irrelevant” suggestions from a section of leaders pitching his father for the CM post amid the ongoing debate.
As Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) sought meetings with party leadership, Siddaramaiah emphasised that the high command must end the confusion. Minister Satish Jarkiholi backed Siddaramaiah, saying he plans to meet Kharge to convey his opinion and urged the high command to clarify the issue at the earliest, PTI reported.
“There is no discussion about leadership change in the party. Once it comes up, we will discuss, but right now there is no discussion,” Jarkiholi said.
Shivakumar, however, stressed unity and a focus on the 2028 assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections. While earlier hinting at a “secret deal” among some leaders on the power-sharing formula, he declined to comment further, saying, “Whatever is there, party issues, we will discuss within four walls. I will not discuss any political issues in the media.”
He denied any factions within the party, stating, “There are no groups in the party; there is only one group, that is the Congress. Our group has 140 MLAs.” He also accused the BJP of trying to create confusion.
“Our goal is to win Karnataka in 2028, to win nationally in 2029, and to make Rahul Gandhi the prime minister. We will work towards this goal,” Shivakumar said, adding that he believes in collective leadership rather than personality cults.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, responding to the Congress tussle, urged Siddaramaiah to resign and call elections if the party cannot resolve the situation ahead of the legislative session starting December 8.
On internal Congress dynamics, Jarkiholi said Home Minister G Parameshwara had served the party as president for five years, and Siddaramaiah’s guidance would remain necessary even after he retires from active politics.
Priyank Kharge also downplayed reports that he discussed the leadership issue with Rahul Gandhi, saying their conversation focused on the recently launched AI-ready personal computer KEO and state-level “vote chori” cases. He is believed to have conveyed Rahul Gandhi’s message to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, with both leaders likely to be called to New Delhi soon to resolve the matter.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
