In response to the escalating chatter, Congress high command swiftly dispatched Surjewala to Bengaluru. On Monday, he held closed-door meetings with several legislators in an attempt to quell growing unrest and assess the internal dynamics. However, Surjewala dismissed the speculation, terming it a “figment of imagination.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also moved to shut down the rumours, affirming the stability of the Congress-led government. “This government will be as solid as a rock for five years,” he declared, while symbolically holding hands with Shivakumar during a press briefing to underscore their camaraderie.
When pressed about his working relationship with the Deputy CM, Siddaramaiah replied, “We are on good terms. We don’t pay attention to external chatter.”
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that any decision on leadership rests solely with the party high command. In response, MLA Hussain acknowledged the authority of the leadership while stressing the importance of conveying ground realities. “There is discipline in the Congress. We respect the high command, but we also have a responsibility to communicate the truth,” he said.
Congress leader Priyank Kharge also weighed in, affirming Siddaramaiah's position as Chief Minister and urging party members to voice internal demands through appropriate forums rather than public platforms. “There’s nothing wrong in having aspirations for leaders, but such matters should be discussed within the party structure,” he said.
Backdrop: A Power Equation Shaped in 2023
The renewed leadership debate is seen as a continuation of unresolved tensions following the Congress’s sweeping victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. At the time, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were considered frontrunners for the top post. While the party ultimately chose Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister, Shivakumar was appointed Deputy CM in what was widely seen as a delicate power-sharing arrangement.
As internal discussions evolve, the Congress high command faces the challenge of maintaining unity while navigating competing ambitions within its state leadership.
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