Congress high command likely to back DK Shivakumar as Siddaramaiah faces exit buzz

A major political transition could soon unfold in Karnataka, with Congress insiders indicating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may step down after a series of crucial meetings with the party leadership in Delhi.

The veteran leader is expected to address the media in Bengaluru on Thursday, an event that has triggered intense speculation over a possible change in leadership within the Congress government.

Before the anticipated announcement, Siddaramaiah will reportedly chair a breakfast meeting with members of the Karnataka cabinet at his official residence, a move being closely watched amid growing signs of internal political realignment.

The buzz around a leadership change gathered momentum after nearly seven hours of discussions in Delhi involving top Congress leaders. While the party officially maintained that the meetings focused on Rajya Sabha and Karnataka Legislative Council elections, sources suggested that Karnataka’s political future was also discussed extensively behind closed doors.

According to party insiders, the Congress leadership has urged Siddaramaiah to take on a larger national responsibility ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The party reportedly sees him as one of its strongest OBC faces at a time when Rahul Gandhi has intensified the Congress’s outreach around caste representation and social justice politics.

Sources said the leadership explored the possibility of moving Siddaramaiah to Delhi through the Rajya Sabha route, a strategy viewed as a way to elevate him to national politics while ensuring a smooth transition in Karnataka.

The meetings reportedly involved Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala.

Even as speculation intensified, the Congress publicly dismissed reports of any leadership reshuffle. KC Venugopal told reporters that discussions were confined to Rajya Sabha and MLC elections and denied that a change in Karnataka’s leadership had been formally discussed.

Despite the denials, attention has once again turned toward DK Shivakumar, whose supporters have long maintained that a power-sharing understanding existed when the Congress formed the government in 2023. Although the party never officially confirmed such an arrangement, speculation over Shivakumar eventually taking over as Chief Minister has continued ever since.

With Siddaramaiah’s future now under intense scrutiny, Shivakumar has once again emerged at the centre of Karnataka’s political equation. However, Congress leaders are reportedly trying to ensure that any transition is handled carefully to avoid creating the impression of a power struggle between rival camps within the state unit.

The developments are also linked to the Congress’s broader strategy for the 2029 general elections. The party believes Siddaramaiah’s influence among OBC voters and his administrative experience could strengthen its national political campaign in the years ahead.

For now, all eyes remain on Bengaluru, where Siddaramaiah’s expected statement on Thursday could potentially trigger the biggest leadership shift Karnataka has witnessed since the Congress returned to power in 2023.