Party will take call on Karnataka leadership, Kharge calls speculation ‘unnecessary’

Kharge, who met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for over an hour on Saturday night, declined to comment on the political buzz, saying there was nothing more for him to add at this stage.

Speaking briefly to reporters outside his Bengaluru residence, the AICC chief said it was unnecessary for the media to speculate further. “Whatever needs to be done will be decided by the high command. The current round of questions is a waste of everyone’s time,” he said.

Speculation about a possible change of CM in the state has gained traction since the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of a power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah, after his meeting with Kharge on Saturday, reiterated that he would follow the high command’s decision, and urged others to do the same. He maintained that the buzz around leadership change was largely driven by the media.

The meeting came soon after a group of MLAs loyal to Shivakumar reportedly travelled to Delhi to meet Kharge. Shivakumar, however, stated that he was unaware of such visits.

On Sunday, Ministers HC Mahadevappa and K Venkatesh, both considered close to Siddaramaiah, also met the party chief.

Party sources say the CM is pushing for a Cabinet reshuffle, while Shivakumar wants clarity on the question of leadership before any such move.

According to several insiders, approval for a reshuffle would be seen as a signal that Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term, dampening Shivakumar’s hopes of taking charge.

The rivalry between the two leaders dates back to the aftermath of the May 2023 Assembly elections, when both staked claim to the top post. The Congress eventually appointed Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister and Shivakumar as his deputy.

Although reports had suggested a rotational arrangement under which Shivakumar would take over after 2.5 years, the party has never officially endorsed the idea.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara also sought to calm speculation over a possible change of leadership in the state, even as he acknowledged that he would naturally be among those considered for the top post in the state if the Congress high command ever opted for a new Chief Minister.

Parameshwara told reporters that neither the party’s senior leadership nor the Congress Legislature Party had discussed any change of Chief Minister. He stressed that only AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, after consultations with senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently abroad, would decide if such a need ever arose.

Parameshwara dismissed these conversations as unfounded and driven largely by media narratives.

When asked if he sees himself in contention should the high command consider a new CM, Parameshwara responded that he had always been in the reckoning as a senior leader. He recalled that as the KPCC chief in 2013, he had led the party to victory, and by convention PCC presidents were often considered for the top job. He said that he would comment on such prospects only if the party ever created that situation.

He also brushed aside questions over a renewed push for a Dalit CM, which had gained traction after a series of meetings among ministers from SC/ST communities.

Parameshwara said the demand for a Dalit CM had existed for years and their meetings were focused on community-related issues, including internal reservation. “Just because we meet, it doesn’t mean something is happening,” he remarked.

He also rejected suggestions of internal confusion, pointing out that routine meetings among ministers or leaders should not be seen as political manoeuvring. “Even a dinner together is becoming news. Why so much interest,” he asked.