BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stepped in to clarify remarks made by his son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, a Congress MLC, regarding the potential successor to his political legacy. The Chief Minister asserted on Friday, October 24, 2025, that his son did not explicitly name anyone as his successor.
The controversy arose after Yathindra Siddaramaiah stated on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, that his father was in the "final stage" of his political career and that a leader with progressive and ideological thinking was needed to carry the Congress party forward. He further suggested that Minister Satish Jarkiholi possessed similar progressive ideological thinking. These comments, made at an event in Belagavi district, were interpreted by some as an endorsement of Jarkiholi as Siddaramaiah's successor.
Siddaramaiah addressed the media on Friday, stating that his son's statement had been misconstrued. "What can I do if his statement is twisted? I spoke to him (Yathindra) and asked him what exactly he had said. He said he spoke only about principles. He did not say that 'so-and-so' should become chief minister," Siddaramaiah clarified. He further placed blame on the media for creating confusion over the issue.
Yathindra himself has since clarified that his remarks were not intended to suggest any immediate leadership change in Karnataka. He explained that his comments were made in the context of Siddaramaiah's statement that he would not be contesting elections after 2028, emphasizing the need for someone to lead the party with a strong belief in Congress ideology.
The initial remarks sparked speculation within the Congress party, particularly given the ongoing rumors of a potential power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Some reports suggested that Shivakumar was slated to succeed Siddaramaiah in November, based on a rotational chief minister formula agreed upon in 2023. However, Siddaramaiah has previously maintained that he intends to complete his full five-year term as Chief Minister.
Satish Jarkiholi, whose name was mentioned by Yathindra, also addressed the issue, stating that the decision regarding leadership succession rests with the party. He acknowledged Yathindra's personal opinion but emphasized that the party and its MLAs would ultimately decide. Jarkiholi also reiterated his own aspirations to become Chief Minister in 2028, but stressed that the party's decision is paramount.
Other senior Congress leaders have also weighed in on the matter. Senior leaders, including G Parameshwara and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, have stressed that leadership decisions are ultimately determined by the party's high command.
The incident underscores the ongoing discussions and undercurrents within the Karnataka Congress regarding the future leadership of the state. While Siddaramaiah's clarification attempts to quell immediate speculation, the question of succession remains a topic of interest within the party and the state.
