Bengaluru, November 27, 2025 – Amidst ongoing speculation regarding a change in leadership in Karnataka, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has asserted that his father will complete his full five-year term. This declaration aims to dispel rumors of a possible transition of power, particularly with the government nearing the halfway mark of its tenure.
Yathindra, a Congress MLC, has consistently maintained this stance, reiterating that any decision regarding a change in leadership rests solely with the Congress high command and the state's MLAs. He dismissed the speculations as mere conjecture, akin to those that surfaced during the previous BJP government. "The BJP has been saying since the time our government came to power that the government will collapse and the chief minister will be changed. If you believe what they say, nothing will happen," Yathindra stated.
His statements were made in response to persistent questions about a potential power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, where the latter would assume the Chief Minister's position later in the term. These speculations have been circulating within political circles, particularly within the ruling Congress party.
Yathindra addressed reporters in Mysuru, stating that while some within the Congress party may aspire to the Chief Ministerial post as the government approaches its 2.5-year mark, the ultimate decision lies with the high command and the MLAs. Despite these potential aspirations, he confidently affirmed, "According to me, he (Siddaramaiah) will be there for five years. I'm answering this question since the government came to power. Such discussions (about CM) have been going on since then, but did the change happen? No...".
Interestingly, Yathindra's statement coincided with Siddaramaiah himself dismissing the rumors while speaking to reporters in New Delhi. The Chief Minister asserted that there was "no vacancy" for the position and that he intended to complete his full five-year term, effectively debunking any talks of him making way for Shivakumar.
Adding another layer to the narrative, Yathindra recently commented on his father's political future, acknowledging that Siddaramaiah is in the "final stages of his political career". He suggested that after Siddaramaiah's tenure, the party should be led by someone who strongly believes in Congress ideology, specifically mentioning Satish Jarkiholi as a potential candidate. "My statement was not about changing the Chief Minister... I only said that after him, someone who believes strongly in Congress ideology, which is social justice, secular ideology, should be able to lead the Congress party," Yathindra clarified.
These comments, made during an event in Belagavi district, have further fueled the ongoing discussions about the future leadership of the Congress party in Karnataka. However, Yathindra has been consistent in assuring that these discussions do not imply an imminent change in the Chief Minister's position. He has clarified that Siddaramaiah enjoys the full support of the MLAs, and any discontent would have already been conveyed to the high command.
The AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, has also clarified that the issue of a CM change is not under consideration by the party leadership. This further reinforces the message that Siddaramaiah is expected to continue leading the state for the remainder of his term.
