Bengaluru, November 26, 2025 – Karnataka's political scene is buzzing with speculation following Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's recent remarks hinting at a "secret pact" within the ruling Congress party regarding a potential change in leadership. Addressing reporters in his constituency of Kanakapura on Tuesday, Shivakumar acknowledged a confidential understanding on leadership transition among a small circle of "five-six leaders" soon after Congress secured a decisive victory in the 2023 elections.

Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, stopped short of divulging specific details, emphasizing the need to avoid embarrassing or weakening the party. "This is confidential. I don't want to speak publicly on this," he stated, adding, "I believe in my conscience. We should work with our conscience". He also reiterated that the party's strength is paramount: "If the party is there, we are there. If karyakartas are there, we are there".

The Deputy CM's comments have reignited discussions surrounding a possible power-sharing arrangement between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a topic that has been circulating since the formation of the government. While Shivakumar remained tight-lipped, his statement has been interpreted as a subtle yet significant move in the ongoing political chess game.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has responded to the swirling speculation by calling on the Congress high command to clarify the situation and put an end to the "confusion". He has also publicly stated that the high command's decision on the matter would be binding on all, including himself and Shivakumar.

Adding another layer to the intrigue, sources suggest that the alleged agreement was reached in March 2023 at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, with the presence of key figures like K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. Kharge himself addressed the issue, stating that the matter of leadership change in Karnataka should not be discussed publicly.

Siddaramaiah's stance on his tenure has seen a shift over the past months. Initially, he consistently affirmed that the Congress government would complete its full five-year term. However, following a meeting with Kharge, his tone softened, acknowledging that the "high command will decide on the power-sharing issue" and that he would continue if the high command desired.

The political maneuvering comes at a time when the Congress government has crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term. With the 2028 assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have emphasized the need for the party to work together towards achieving victory.

While the exact nature of the "secret pact" remains shrouded in mystery, Shivakumar's carefully chosen words have undoubtedly added fuel to the fire. The coming days and weeks are expected to be crucial as the Congress high command weighs in and the political drama in Karnataka unfolds.