In a significant political development, the Congress high command has effectively put Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's immediate ambitions for the top post in Karnataka on the backburner. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Shivakumar as one of its senior observers for the upcoming Assembly elections in BJP-ruled Assam, a move widely seen as ensuring Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's continuance.
A Strategic Move to Maintain Status Quo
The decision, announced on January 9, 2026, comes amidst a persistent internal challenge for the chief minister's chair mounted by Shivakumar and his supporters since November 20 last year. This date marked the halfway point of the Siddaramaiah-led government's five-year term, a juncture where many believed a power-sharing agreement would come into effect.
The AICC's move to deploy Shivakumar for the crucial Assam polls, scheduled for March-April this year alongside Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, indicates the party leadership's priority is electoral success in other states rather than triggering a leadership change in Karnataka now.
Shivakumar's Reluctant Acceptance
Responding to the new assignment, Shivakumar struck a note of resigned acceptance. "I don't have any options. My option is, whatever the party tells us we have to do it. Being a Congressman I have to work for the party," he stated, confirming he had seen the AICC press release asking him to work in Assam.
He acknowledged his prior experience in the northeastern state, framing the new role as a call to duty. This public statement is a clear signal that the high command's directive has temporarily quelled the simmering discontent over the leadership issue.
Siddaramaiah's Stature and Record Tenure
The Congress leadership's reluctance to replace Siddaramaiah stems from multiple factors, chiefly his stature as a foremost leader of a formidable social coalition. His support base among backward classes, Dalits, and minorities, a legacy nurtured since the Devaraj Urs era in the 1970s, is considered vital for the party's prospects.
This calculation was reinforced as Siddaramaiah, on January 9, 2026, officially became Karnataka's longest-serving Chief Minister, surpassing the seven-year, 238-day record of former Congress stalwart Devaraj Urs. Marking the occasion, Shivakumar himself cut a cake and served it to the Chief Minister at a public event in Haveri.
However, even while offering congratulations, Shivakumar subtly reiterated his claim, stating, "I had said earlier that 'word power is world power'. We should keep our word. We should act as we say. Then we can be called leaders." This was a clear reference to the alleged informal power-sharing deal promised by the party leadership after the Congress's victory in the May 2023 state polls.
The Road Ahead and Unfinished Agenda
For his part, Siddaramaiah has remained publicly circumspect about his future. After equalling Urs's record, he said, "I have come this far with the blessings of the people. I do not know how long I will remain in power." His focus appears to be on completing key administrative tasks.
He is reportedly keen to declare the findings of a socio-economic caste survey commissioned by the state backward classes body and to present the Karnataka Budget for 2026-27. These actions would solidify his legacy and administrative grip.
The party's central leadership has also shown support for Siddaramaiah's milestone. Senior AICC leader B K Hariprasad, an OBC leader loyal to the high command, applauded him, while AICC general secretary K C Venugopal called on the Chief Minister in Mysuru.
Analysts view Siddaramaiah's recent participation in events commemorating Kerala spiritual guru Sri Narayana Guru, revered by OBC groups in parts of Karnataka and Kerala, as another indicator of his continued relevance and the party's intent to leverage his profile until at least the conclusion of the Kerala elections.
For now, the Congress has successfully compartmentalized its internal Karnataka dynamics to focus on the multi-state electoral battle ahead, leaving Shivakumar's chief ministerial aspirations in cold storage, with no clear timeline for a thaw.
