Amidst swirling speculation regarding a potential change in leadership in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has reiterated his commitment to adhering to the decisions of the Congress high command. Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress President, emphasized that discussions concerning the Chief Minister's post are an internal matter between himself, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the party's central leadership.
The Deputy CM's remarks come after a period of heightened speculation, fueled by cryptic social media posts and statements from party members. A recent post featuring Shivakumar with the message, "Efforts may fail, but prayers never do," further ignited the rumors. Adding to the intrigue, D.K. Shivakumar's brother, D.K. Suresh, a former MP, stated that Rahul Gandhi had assured the Deputy Chief Minister that a decision regarding the Chief Minister's position would be taken at an appropriate time. Suresh described Shivakumar as a dedicated party member who is patiently awaiting the party's decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity within the Congress party, especially with an eye on the 2028 assembly elections.
Shivakumar, following a three-day visit to Delhi, conveyed that both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are bound to respect the Congress high command's decision on any leadership transition. He has also downplayed the significance of legislators expressing their support for him, affirming that all 140 MLAs are his supporters and that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also supporting him.
When questioned about his discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar acknowledged that they have had conversations in the presence of Rahul Gandhi and the high command, including breakfast meetings, but refrained from disclosing the details publicly. He also dismissed reports suggesting that he did not meet with Rahul Gandhi during his Delhi visit, countering those claims with references to media coverage of their interaction.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that he would be willing to travel to New Delhi if summoned by the Congress high command to discuss the leadership issue. He humorously responded to questions about Shivakumar's Delhi visit, stating that he would speak to him personally and downplaying the political speculation.
The current political climate in Karnataka is underscored by the completion of the halfway mark of the Congress government's five-year term on November 20, 2025. This has intensified speculation about a potential power-sharing agreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, allegedly established during the government's formation in 2023. Shivakumar has previously acknowledged that discussions regarding this matter have taken place with the Congress high command and that a decision has been made, but the timing of its implementation remains uncertain. The upcoming legislative session, scheduled from January 22 to 31, may provide further clarity on the party leadership's stance.
Despite the ongoing speculation, D.K. Shivakumar maintains that the party's success in the state is not solely attributable to his efforts but is the result of the collective hard work of every party worker across all 224 constituencies. He has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka since May 20, 2023, also holding the portfolios of Water Resources, Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, and Bengaluru Urban District In-charge. He has also been the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee since 2020.
