Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah firmly denied speculation about a possible change in the state’s leadership, asserting that no discussions regarding a change in the Chief Minister’s post have taken place with the Congress high command.
“How many times do I have to tell you? It was not discussed at all,” Siddaramaiah told reporters on Friday, dismissing persistent media chatter around a potential leadership shuffle in Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah, currently in Delhi, met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior party leaders on Thursday, sparking rumours of a power transition in favour of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
However, Siddaramaiah clarified on social media platform X that the meeting with Kharge was routine and focused on “several important issues,” not on the chief ministerial post.
Adding fuel to the speculation, BJP leader Rachna Reddy demanded clarity from the Congress high command on its alleged “promise” to DK Shivakumar, stating, “They should clarify whether they plan to fulfil the promise or show him the door.”
Amid these developments, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala had recently held one-on-one meetings with party MLAs in Karnataka, which also triggered buzz about a leadership transition. Siddaramaiah, however, reiterated that Surjewala had made it clear that the meetings were not related to any change in the CM position.
“Speculation is being driven by the media. There has been no such conversation in the party,” Siddaramaiah emphasized. He also noted that both he and DK Shivakumar have publicly agreed to abide by the Congress high command’s decision on the matter.
While acknowledging that talk of a power-sharing arrangement is common halfway through a government’s term, Siddaramaiah firmly stated, “There is no agreement or discussion regarding a transfer of power.”
