A late-night meeting in New Delhi has created new speculation in Karnataka politics. A group of Congress leaders who support Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday night. This meeting has increased rumours that there may be a change in leadership in the state government.
According to earlier reports, a minister and a few MLAs close to Shivakumar had travelled to Delhi to speak with senior party leaders. Now, the meeting with Kharge has made people wonder if something big is happening inside the party. News agency ANI even shared a video showing the ministers talking to Kharge outside his residence. However, no one has shared any details about what was discussed during the meeting.
This meeting also took place just one day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completed two-and-a-half years in office. After the Congress won the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023, there was a tough competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s post. Finally, Siddaramaiah became the Chief Minister, and Shivakumar was made the Deputy Chief Minister as part of a compromise by the party leadership.
Since then, there have been rumours about a “rotational chief minister” plan. According to this rumour, Shivakumar might take over the Chief Minister’s post halfway through the government’s term. But so far, no one from the party has confirmed this idea.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has continued to say that he will complete the full five-year term as Chief Minister. Earlier in the day, he dismissed all reports about a political change happening in November. He said this idea was created by the media and that there is no truth in it. Siddaramaiah added that the people have given the government five years to work, and after that, they will go back to the voters with confidence.
The political situation in Karnataka may become clearer in the coming days, but for now, the Congress party has not made any official announcement about leadership changes.
