Bengaluru, June 30, 2025: Political whispers in Karnataka grew louder as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hinted at a possible leadership change, saying that any such decision rests solely with the party high command. Despite this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar made a joint public appearance, reiterating that their government will continue for a full term.
During a press interaction, Kharge said, “The high command has the power to act. What happens inside is not for public speculation.” This statement has added weight to ongoing rumours that the Congress may switch leadership in the state as early as October 2025.
While Kharge didn’t name anyone or commit to a timeline, his vague response has led to intense speculation within political circles.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar: “Together Like a Rock”
Brushing aside rumours of internal rift, Siddaramaiah stated: “This government will stay strong for five years, like a rock.” He also dismissed BJP’s claims about instability as “lies.” Standing beside him, Shivakumar echoed the sentiment: “We are on good terms, no matter what others say.”
The two leaders were also seen publicly smiling and posing for photographers, signaling unity.
Congress MLA Fuels Further Rumours
Interestingly, Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain added fuel to the fire. He suggested that DK Shivakumar may take over as CM within the next “two to three months.” Referring to Shivakumar’s efforts during the 2023 assembly win, he said, “His sweat and strategy won us Karnataka. The high command knows that.”
Past Power Sharing Formula?
After the 2023 victory, the Congress reportedly considered a rotational CM model — two and a half years for each leader. While this was never confirmed officially, recent developments have revived the speculation.
MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah has denied any such arrangement. However, KN Rajanna, the Cooperation Minister, hinted at “revolutionary changes” after September, adding more suspense to the political scene.
High Command Remains Silent
So far, the Congress central leadership — including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi — has stayed silent on the matter. Most party insiders believe that any decision will be strategic and based on both political stability and electoral performance.
Conclusion
The Congress in Karnataka may be headed for a leadership churn, but for now, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are trying to project unity. Whether the high command will trigger a change remains to be seen — but the buzz isn’t dying anytime soon.