Ever since the Congress came to power in Karnataka with a huge majority in 2023, reports of a rift and demands for a leadership change within the party have surfaced repeatedly, with several party legislators backing Shivakumar for the top post.
Fresh political buzz now suggests that Siddaramaiah may finally be stepping aside, with the Congress leadership considering a Bihar-like strategy. According to people aware of the matter, Siddaramaiah could be offered a Rajya Sabha seat in exchange for vacating the chief minister’s post. The leadership is also reportedly considering a possible cabinet berth for his son, Yathindra.
The proposed arrangement closely mirrors recent political developments in Bihar. Nitish Kumar recently left the Bihar chief minister’s post and moved to the Rajya Sabha, while his deputy Samrat Chaudhary took over the role. Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, also assumed charge as Bihar’s new health minister in Patna.
However, even if Siddaramaiah agrees to the Rajya Sabha route, Shivakumar may still not become chief minister. People familiar with the matter told HT that Siddaramaiah may not be willing to see Shivakumar succeed him.
In such a scenario, the Congress could consider Mallikarjun Kharge as a compromise candidate for the chief minister’s post. Such a move could also clear the path for Rahul Gandhi to push KC Venugopal as the next party chief and open the central party organisation to a much-needed overhaul. “However, this is the most remote option as of now,” a leader aware of the developments said.
Notably, KC Venugopal had earlier been widely considered the preferred chief ministerial choice in Kerala, but VD Satheeshan eventually emerged ahead in the race.
As stated in an earlier HT report, Kharge, Venugopal and state in-charge Randeep Surjewala are all in favour of a “transfer of power” in Karnataka.
After arriving in Delhi, Shivakumar was questioned by the media about whether he would assume the post of chief minister. The Congress leader declined to respond directly but smiled at reporters before leaving in his car, further fuelling speculation surrounding the leadership issue.
At the same time, people aware of the developments said Siddaramaiah supporters are hoping Shivakumar takes over the role now, faces the expected anti-incumbency wave in Karnataka during the 2028 elections, and loses his leadership claims in the process.
Amid the growing speculation, Congress MLA B K Hariprasad accused the BJP’s “troll army” of spreading misinformation and asserted that Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister unless allegations of “corruption or anything else” emerge.
“When Siddaramaiah ji was chosen, he was chosen for five years. If there are serious allegations of corruption or anything else, then we'll have to think. There's no need to respond to the BJP's troll army,” Hariprasad said.
The renewed leadership debate has once again exposed the underlying power struggle within the Karnataka Congress, even as the party leadership attempts to maintain public unity amid mounting political speculation.
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