Although his Bengal residence has turned out to be a hub of intense political activity, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday washed his hands of any decision-making on the Congress government’s dispute in Karnataka, throwing the ball in the court of the “high command”.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met him on Saturday evening during which current political developments were discussed, several legislators and government ministers also met him on Sunday.
“I have nothing to say on the current political developments. Any decision will be taken by the high command,” Mr Kharge said, putting the ball in the Gandhi family’s court.
Incidentally, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who has to take a call on the leadership issue, is traveling abroad and is expected to return on November 28, days before the winter session of Parliament.
Meanwhile, the speculated meeting between Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar did not take place. Those close to Mr. Shivakumar said that no meeting was arranged with Mr. Kharge even on Monday.
“Mr Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh told Mr Kharge what to say during their meeting in Delhi last week. However, if a last-minute meeting is planned, the two leaders could meet,” sources said.
Sources aware of the development said Mr. Kharge, by publicly stating that the high command would take the call, had now hinted that the Gandhi family would take the call.
“With Mr. Rahul Gandhi currently travelling, no amount of meetings or trips to Delhi by legislators and ministers from both camps would help. Who will they meet to plead their case?”
Intra-party activity from both camps has increased to build pressure and optics on the leadership over the past week as the government crossed its mid-term term limit on November 20. Mr. Shivakumar and his associates have been building pressure on the alleged power-sharing formula approved by the Chief Minister.
The minister told The Hindu that it appeared Mr Shivakumar might be putting pressure on the leadership and there seemed to be confusion among the ministers as well.
“With the chief minister likely to reshuffle the cabinet, many legislators are also making a beeline to meet central leaders. Mr. Shivakumar is also building pressure on the leadership issue. Ultimately, it is the high command who takes the call,” he said.
No pact
Stating that he saw no circumstances that could compel the party to change the chief minister, Home Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru that “When the Congress Legislature Party elected the chief minister, we were not told about the two-and-a-half-year power-sharing pact. That’s when the AICC observers also came.”
Asked if the circumstances were right to change the chief minister, he said, “In the past, S. Bangarappa replaced M. Veerappa Moily. I don’t think such circumstances have arisen now (to replace the chief minister). The high command has to decide.”
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi told reporters in Belagavi on Sunday, “We don’t know if there is a power-sharing pact. I don’t think there is any such pact in Bengaluru. If there was any discussion or pact on this issue in Delhi, we don’t know about it. Also, any decision on such issues is taken by the party high command in Delhi,” he said.
Asked about party workers’ confusion over a possible change in leadership, he said the party high command was monitoring all developments. “We hope they (central leaders) will come to the right decision at the right time,” he said.
Push Dalit CM
Even as speculation of a power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar continues to make headlines, pressure seems to be building for a Dalit face for the chief ministerial post if the party favors a reshuffle.
While Home Minister G. Parameshwara entered the race by stating that he was always in the Chief Minister’s race, his cabinet colleague and Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who is learned to be targeting the post of KPCC president, declared that the former was eligible.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Dr. Parameshwara said, “I am always in the race. There was a demand for a Dalit chief minister. Just because we demand a Dalit chief minister, it will not happen.”
In Belagavi, Mr. Jarkiholi said, “There is nothing wrong with Dr. Parameshwara making such a claim. His claim is justified. He was the party president for eight years and organized several rallies and party programmes. After all, the main voters of this party are from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and minority communities. It is natural that he should feel that the leaders of the state should have an opportunity to lead the state.”
Published – 23 Nov 2025 21:38 IST
