The deliberations reportedly covered several key political matters, including the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, a possible Cabinet reshuffle, and the Member of Legislative Council elections. These issues are expected to be addressed collectively as part of the ongoing consultations between the central leadership and Karnataka’s senior political figures.
The political atmosphere has further intensified ahead of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s scheduled meeting with the Congress leadership in New Delhi on Tuesday. Siddaramaiah confirmed that he had been invited to the national capital meeting but stated that he was not aware of the agenda. He noted that he had been informed of the meeting schedule by party leader K. C. Venugopal.
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, meanwhile, indicated uncertainty regarding his attendance, stating that he would participate only if formally called. Over the past 18 months, supporters of Shivakumar have repeatedly projected expectations of a leadership transition in his favor, although no such change has materialised.
A senior party functionary remarked that the narrative surrounding an imminent leadership shift has persisted for several years. Internal dissatisfaction within the Karnataka Congress unit is reported to be increasing, with multiple leaders urging the central leadership to resolve the ambiguity surrounding the state’s top post. Party insiders believe the prolonged uncertainty is adversely affecting the party’s public image and organisational stability in Karnataka.
Despite mounting pressure, the central leadership has so far refrained from announcing any final decision, citing multiple political considerations. Meanwhile, a minor Cabinet reshuffle has already been implemented following an official notification issued by the Governor, Thaawarchand Gehlot.
As part of the administrative changes, the Planning and Statistics portfolio has been transferred from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Cabinet Minister K. Venkatesh. Siddaramaiah will continue to oversee key departments, including Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, Information, Youth Services, Sports, Scheduled Tribes Welfare, and Cooperation, excluding Agricultural Marketing, along with all other unallocated portfolios.
K. Venkatesh, who currently holds the Animal Husbandry and Sericulture portfolios, has been assigned additional responsibility for the Planning and Statistics department. The reshuffle takes immediate effect as per the official notification issued by the Cabinet Affairs and Personnel and Administrative Reforms Secretariat.
The developments underscore a period of heightened political uncertainty within the Karnataka Congress unit, where leadership questions, administrative realignments, and electoral preparations are converging, with the party’s central command expected to play a decisive role in shaping the state’s political direction in the coming days.
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