The Congress leadership is reportedly moving closer to a leadership change in Karnataka, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah being offered an honourable exit package. Sources indicate that this could include a Rajya Sabha seat and a larger role within the party organisation. Siddaramaiah may step down within the next few days, after which a Congress Legislature Party meeting could be convened, possibly over the weekend. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is widely seen as the frontrunner to take over as chief minister.
Delhi Meetings Intensify Speculation
The developments gained momentum after Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar held marathon discussions in Delhi with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala. The meetings reportedly lasted for nearly six hours. According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi held a separate one-on-one conversation with Siddaramaiah, during which he urged the veteran leader to take on a national responsibility within the Congress. Siddaramaiah was reportedly asked to convey his decision within a week.
Speaking to reporters later alongside both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, KC Venugopal dismissed speculation surrounding a change in leadership. He maintained that the meetings were focused only on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. However, insiders claimed Siddaramaiah told Rahul Gandhi that he had no particular interest in shifting to national politics. Rahul is learnt to have insisted that the Congress needed Siddaramaiah’s experience and political weight at the national level to strengthen the party organisation.
Rahul Gandhi's Stance and Siddaramaiah's Response
Sources within the party said Rahul Gandhi had until now resisted pressure from some senior leaders who favoured replacing Siddaramaiah in Karnataka, believing the current chief minister still had an important role to play. Party insiders further said Siddaramaiah requested time to consult his close supporters before taking a final call. During the discussions, he reportedly indicated that he would prefer resigning rather than openly disagreeing with Rahul Gandhi, who had backed him for the chief minister’s post on two occasions despite Siddaramaiah often being viewed as an outsider within the Congress establishment.
Breakfast Meeting on Thursday
Amid mounting speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar is scheduled to attend a breakfast meeting convened by chief minister Siddaramaiah at the CM’s official residence, Kaveri, in Bengaluru on Thursday at 9 am. This meeting is seen as a crucial step in the ongoing discussions.
Possible Cabinet Berth for Siddaramaiah's Son
The Congress president is set to get another Rajya Sabha term next month, and many consider Siddaramaiah to be a strong possibility for Leader of Opposition to help Congress with the OBC vote bank. According to sources, Rahul’s team also discussed a possible cabinet berth for Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra as part of the negotiations. The possibility of shifting the 77-year-old veteran to Rajya Sabha has gained momentum ahead of elections to four Upper House seats from Karnataka in June. Congress is confident of winning at least three seats.
It remains to be seen if the CM quietly agrees to let Shivakumar replace him or puts up resistance that may open the way for a third candidate as a compromise. The Siddaramaiah camp maintained that he is still the overwhelming choice of the legislature party, and he submitted a list of 108 signatures to underline his pre-eminence.
Ministers and Aspirants on Edge
Discussions between chief minister Siddaramaiah, deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and the Congress party high command in Delhi Tuesday left ministers and aspiring legislators in Karnataka on edge amid growing speculation of a change at the helm. The government completed three years in office last week, reviving a buzz over a rotational chief minister arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Simultaneously, some MLAs began lobbying for ministerial berths, mounting pressure for a cabinet rejig.
Avoiding a Rajasthan-Like Crisis
Congress high command’s marathon meeting Tuesday over possibly replacing chief minister Siddaramaiah with his deputy DK Shivakumar is being driven by one key concern — avoiding a Rajasthan-like political disaster in Karnataka. Party brass appears to be working towards a compromise rather than a disruptive transition, keenly aware that mishandling the issue could trigger factional instability and hurt the party in the 2028 assembly elections.
The latest developments are being seen as a major breakthrough for Shivakumar, who has long maintained that a rotational chief ministerial arrangement had been promised to him when the Congress formed the government in Karnataka after the 2023 assembly elections. Sources also said Siddaramaiah sought time to consult loyalists before taking a final decision. Discussions are expected to continue in Bengaluru following his return from Delhi. The Congress leadership is learnt to be working towards a negotiated transition to avoid internal instability similar to the crisis witnessed in Rajasthan during the party’s previous regime.
