With Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shifting the decision on the leadership issue to the party high command, all eyes are now on Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, even as a second group of lawmakers, aligned with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, is now camping in Delhi to put pressure on the central leader.
However, those close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed that the discussion would be about the cabinet reshuffle and not related to the leadership.
Seen together
Amid these hectic developments, Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar were seen sharing the dais together at a government event in Chickballapur, not far from here, on Monday.
In an interview with journalists, the Chief Minister reiterated that he would follow the decision of the High Command.
“If they decide I should continue, I will continue. Both Mr. Shivakumar and I have to accept what the high command decides.” In response, his representative later said, “What Mr. Siddaramaiah is saying is Veda Vakya for all of us and it is our party’s property.”
Party sources said that Mr. Kharge is likely to brief Mr. Gandhi in a few days after which both Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar may be called for consultations.
“Central leaders have not met since the Bihar results. They are also likely to discuss the developments in Karnataka. It was in their presence that the Chief Minister was decided in 2023,” a source said.
Venugopal in town
Until Mr. Gandhi takes a decision, nothing will be moved under the present circumstances, sources said. Another Congress source said Mr Shivakumar is likely to meet AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, who will pass through Bengaluru either on Monday evening or Tuesday morning to discuss the issue.
In a related development, after a group of legislators went to Delhi last week to speak to central leaders including Mr. Venugopal and General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala, another group of six legislators gathered there on Sunday evening to meet the leaders.
According to party sources, more such delegations could go to Delhi in the coming days to support Mr. Shivakumar in his bid to become Chief Minister.
In response, Mr. Shivakumar said that they are ministerial aspirants and there is nothing wrong in them going to Delhi.
However, sources close to the chief minister said those going to Delhi had not received any appointments from central leaders and were “returning empty-handed”.
Meanwhile, sources close to former Bengaluru rural MP DK Suresh, who has been active in drumming up support for his brother, said he reminded the chief minister of his promise of a “leadership rotation pattern” when the two met recently.
“When the leadership discussion was held at Mr. Kharge’s residence in Delhi two days before the swearing-in, it was Mr. Suresh who adamantly insisted that Mr. Shivakumar become the Chief Minister.
Mr. Siddaramaiah then convinced him in front of the central leaders. That was why Mr. Suresh publicly said that the Chief Minister would keep his word recently,” said a source.
Are signatures being collected?
Congress sources claimed that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is garnering support by collecting signatures from legislators in his favour. They described the number as “substantial”.
“It is definitely much more than the support he got at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in May 2023,” the source said.
“He worked to secure the numbers. Another source said the number of lawmakers in the “neutral camp” who are looking forward to a high command decision either way is also growing. However, sources in the chief minister’s office refuted the reports of the signing event, saying that nothing of the sort is happening.
BJP blames horse-trading, DKS hits back
Leader of Opposition in the Legislature R Ashok on Monday alleged that “horse-trading” of MLAs had started in the ruling Congress, alleging that ₹60-70 crore of money was being traded for attempts to change leadership.
“Leaders claim they have the support of 60 to 70 MLAs. Horse-trading has started,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar hit out at Mr Ashok, saying horse-trading by MLAs was “BJP culture”.
“Last time when they formed the government, how many thousands of crores did they spend? What was offered to MLAs to defect was even mentioned in the assembly and is now part of the records,” he said.
Published – 24 Nov 2025 21:31 IST
