NEW DELHI: After over six hours of high-stakes discussions with Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and KC Venugopal in Delhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to meet loyalist ministers and legislators in Bengaluru on Wednesday. This development has fueled fresh speculation over a leadership transition in the state.
Negotiated Transition Plan Proposed
The Congress high command is learnt to have proposed a negotiated transition plan under which Siddaramaiah could be moved to national politics through a Rajya Sabha berth and a larger organisational role. The consultations came after marathon meetings on Tuesday involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala with Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar amid mounting buzz over a possible change of guard.
While the Congress officially denied that leadership change was discussed, party insiders indicated that the issue dominated deliberations as the high command sought a formula that would ensure a smooth transition without triggering factional unrest.
Siddaramaiah's Stance and Rahul's Push
Siddaramaiah is learnt to have told the leadership that he had no ambitions in national politics. However, Rahul Gandhi is said to have insisted that the Congress wanted his experience and outreach to Other Backward Classes (OBC) at the national level. Sources added that Siddaramaiah sought time to consult his loyalists before taking a final decision. Rahul Gandhi reportedly asked the veteran leader during a one-on-one meeting to consider taking up responsibilities at the national level and respond within a week.
Boost for Shivakumar
The latest developments are being viewed as a major boost for Shivakumar, who has consistently maintained that a rotational chief minister arrangement was discussed when the Congress formed the government after its 2023 assembly election victory. Shivakumar's supporters argue that denying him the top post after his role in rebuilding the party organisation could hurt the Congress' Vokkaliga support base and cadre morale.
Balancing Factions
At the same time, Congress leaders are wary of destabilising the Siddaramaiah camp, given his strong influence among backward classes, minorities, and Dalits through the Ahinda social coalition and the government's guarantee schemes. Party insiders said the leadership is keen to avoid a Rajasthan-like factional crisis and is therefore pushing for a consensus-based transition rather than a confrontational change of leadership.
Uncertainty and Lobbying
The uncertainty has put ministers and cabinet aspirants on edge, with several MLAs lobbying for a cabinet reshuffle alongside the leadership issue. The Congress currently has three vacant cabinet berths, and leaders from both camps are closely watching the next round of consultations for clues on the high command's final decision.
