Leadership Rumblings in Karnataka: Congress High Command Holds the Cards

 As speculation resurfaces over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday stopped short of denying the rumours, instead deferring the matter to the party’s high command.

Kharge’s comments come amid renewed buzz following Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala’s visit to Bengaluru, which has reignited talk of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar potentially succeeding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. When asked directly about reports suggesting a change in October, Kharge responded, “That is in the hands of the high command. Nobody here can say what is going on within the high command. This matter is left entirely to them. They have the authority to take any further decision, but one should not create unnecessary confusion.”

The remarks have gained added significance in the wake of statements made by Karnataka Congress MLA H.A. Iqbal Hussain, who suggested that Shivakumar could assume the top post within two to three months. “We all know the kind of effort and strategy he [Shivakumar] put in to bring the party to power in Karnataka,” Hussain said on Sunday. “The high command understands the situation well and will take the right decision at the right time to give him the opportunity.”

When pressed further, Hussain confirmed, “Yes, I’m saying it. Some leaders have hinted at significant political developments post-September. A decision could come within the next two to three months.”

He also recalled the process of government formation after the Congress’s decisive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. “We were all in Delhi at the time—Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge made that decision together. They will take the next one too. We must wait and watch.”

Adding to the speculation, Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna recently spoke of possible “revolutionary” political shifts in the state following September, further fueling speculation about a change in leadership.

Talk of a power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has circulated since the formation of the Congress government last year, though no official confirmation of such a deal has ever been made. At the time, Shivakumar was persuaded to take on the role of Deputy Chief Minister, despite intense competition for the chief ministerial position.

Reports suggested a rotational model in which Shivakumar would take over midway through the five-year term—a formula that, while never publicly acknowledged, continues to shape political discourse within the state.

For now, the Congress leadership remains tight-lipped, while party insiders indicate that the final word rests with the high command. As Karnataka approaches a potential political crossroads, the months ahead could prove decisive in reshaping the power dynamics within the state’s ruling party.