According to party sources, the matter came up during a recent meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to have conveyed his desire to proceed with cabinet expansion but expressed concern that persistent speculation about the CM’s post was creating uncertainty within the government and the party. He reportedly asked Gandhi to clearly communicate the leadership position to end the recurring debate.
The development follows Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Karnataka on January 13, during which he held a private discussion with DK Shivakumar at Mysuru Airport. The closed-door interaction reignited political chatter about a possible leadership change, though no official statement was issued by the party high command.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, responding to the renewed speculation, struck a philosophical note in a social media post, saying that “prayers never fail.” While he has publicly maintained that he abides by the decisions of the party leadership, his remarks have often been interpreted as keeping his political ambitions open.
The leadership question in Karnataka has been simmering for months. In November last year, Siddaramaiah met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi, where cabinet expansion was discussed. Around the same time, Shivakumar hinted that he would not continue indefinitely as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, triggering speculation about his future role.
Tensions became more visible when Shivakumar’s close associates met the party high command in Delhi, pressing for his elevation. Siddaramaiah, however, has consistently asserted that he will complete a full five-year term as chief minister and has dismissed any notion of a rotational or “power-sharing” formula.
Both leaders have, at various points, issued public statements affirming unity and adherence to the high command’s decisions. In late November, following instructions from party leadership, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar even met for a joint breakfast, projecting solidarity and focusing on governance and preparations for the 2028 Assembly elections.
Despite these efforts, periodic statements, political messaging and opposition attacks—most notably a BJP-released AI-generated video mocking Shivakumar’s CM aspirations—have kept the issue alive in public discourse.
For now, the Congress leadership has not issued any formal clarification. With cabinet expansion pending and electoral considerations looming, party observers say a clear directive from the high command may be necessary to contain speculation and maintain administrative stability in the state.
