Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly rejected persistent speculation about a pre-arranged power-sharing agreement within the state's Congress government. The claims, suggesting he would hand over the chief minister's post to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after two-and-a-half years, were dismissed by Siddaramaiah during the final day of the Legislative Assembly session in Belagavi on Friday.
"No Such Agreement," Says CM
Facing repeated questions from the Opposition BJP, Siddaramaiah clarified the process of leadership selection. He stated that he would continue as the Chief Minister until the party's high command in Delhi decides on a change. "First, the people must bless us. Then the legislators elect the leader in the Legislative Party meeting, and after that, the high command decides. That is all I have said," Siddaramaiah explained to the assembly.
He added, "Even now, I am the Chief Minister, and I will remain the Chief Minister until the high command decides otherwise." This statement directly countered the narrative of a fixed-term arrangement with his deputy.
Opposition Questions and United Front
Reacting to the Chief Minister's remarks, BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka challenged the assertion. "You were elected for five years by the Legislative Party. What about 2.5 years?" Ashoka questioned. Siddaramaiah's response was unequivocal: "I never said anything about two and a half years. There is no such agreement as two and half years."
The speculation had gained momentum over the past week, with rumours suggesting a potential leadership change in January. In a move to project unity and quell the rumours, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar recently met for breakfast at each other's residences and addressed the media together. Shivakumar also separately dismissed talk of a political dinner meeting, stating his attendance was to honour former party colleagues in Belagavi and had "no other politics" involved.
Commitment to Full Term
Earlier this week, Siddaramaiah had reiterated his commitment to serving a full five-year term. He expressed confidence that the Congress government would complete its tenure and return to power in the 2028 state elections. "We will complete the full term and return to power in 2028...I'm the CM till the high command says," the Chief Minister had stated, reinforcing the ultimate authority of the party's central leadership in such matters.
The episode highlights the ongoing political dynamics within the Karnataka Congress, where leadership speculation periodically surfaces. However, the public displays of unity and the Chief Minister's clear statements aim to shift focus back to governance and away from internal power debates.
