NEW DELHI: The simmering leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress reached Delhi on Tuesday, with chief minister Siddaramaiah confirming that he has been summoned by the party high command for a key meeting amid mounting speculation over a possible power-sharing formula and leadership transition in the state.The meeting comes as internal friction between Siddaramaiah and Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar continues to dominate Karnataka politics nearly three years after the Congress returned to power in the state. The party leadership is expected to discuss cabinet expansion, Rajya Sabha polls, MLC elections and broader political developments in Karnataka.Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah confirmed that he had been invited to Delhi for discussions with the party leadership but maintained that he was unaware of the agenda.“I have been invited to Delhi. There is a meeting tomorrow (May 26). I do not know the subject of the meeting. They have called the meeting for 11 a.m. AICC General Secretary and MP KC Venugopal called me, informed me about the meeting, and invited me to attend,” Siddaramaiah said.When asked about speculation surrounding a possible leadership change, he brushed aside the reports, saying, “Speculations are always there.”
Congress says Delhi visit linked to Rajya Sabha polls
Congress leaders attempted to downplay the political significance of the Delhi visit, insisting the meetings were part of routine organisational consultations ahead of upcoming elections.Congress leader Ramesh Babu told ANI that the visit was linked to discussions over Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections in Karnataka.“It is routine work. Since the Rajya Sabha election has been notified, we have to select the 3 candidates from the party in the state. In a couple of days, the MLC election is also going to be conducted in the state, and 7 members have to be elected from the Assembly. We have to conduct an Assembly session in Karnataka. This is why CM and the Dy CM are going to meet our party leaders in Delhi. They need to discuss some issues with the AICC,” Ramesh Babu said.Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala also rejected speculation around the meeting and linked it to internal consultations over the Rajya Sabha polls.“Rajya Sabha elections have been notified. The party continues to have consultations. So please do not speculate. I quash all other speculations,” Surjewala said.
Shivakumar says he will travel if summoned
Meanwhile, Shivakumar indicated that he would also travel to Delhi if directed by the party leadership.“I will go if called,” he said when asked about reports regarding his possible Delhi visit.The Deputy Chief Minister also expressed confidence about the Congress retaining power in Karnataka in the 2028 Assembly elections.“You will see, Shivakumar and the Congress government coming back to power,” he said.Shivakumar also recalled that he had predicted Congress’ victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections despite the BJP’s confidence claims at the time.“At a time when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was talking about the BJP’s victory, I challenged that Congress would win 136 seats and we came to power,” he said.
High command likely to discuss leadership row
According to sources, Siddaramaiah is expected to first meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in the presence of K.C. Venugopal. A separate meeting with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is also likely later in the day.Sources indicated that the discussions could revolve around the ongoing leadership tussle, cabinet reshuffle, induction of new ministers and political management ahead of the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.Several senior Karnataka ministers are also expected to accompany Siddaramaiah to Delhi, including Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, Energy Minister K.J. George and Law Minister H.K. Patil.The Congress leadership has already intervened multiple times to manage tensions between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar since the party formed the government in 2023. Supporters of Shivakumar have repeatedly claimed that a rotational chief ministership agreement existed, though no official confirmation has ever been made by the party high command.
BJP targets Congress over internal rift
The opposition BJP has continued attacking the Congress over the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Karnataka’s leadership.Karnataka BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agrawal recently alleged that Mallikarjun Kharge was attempting to create divisions between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for political reasons.At the same time, senior Congress leaders have attempted to dismiss speculation around an immediate leadership change.State Home Minister G. Parameshwara earlier asserted that any decision regarding the Chief Minister’s post would be taken solely by the Congress high command.Despite repeated denials from the party, the continued public speculation over leadership change has triggered growing unease within the Karnataka Congress unit, with several leaders privately urging the high command to end the uncertainty before it damages the party’s image ahead of future elections.
