File photo of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Social Affairs Minister HC Mahadevappa.
After the crescendo over the leadership change and the alleged “November Revolution” in Congress died down, the public debate on leadership regained traction in the ruling party.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s social media posts on Saturday about being targeted sparked political interest, the demand for a Dalit chief minister has gained momentum once again.
On Sunday, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa urged the Congress high command and Mr. Siddaramaiah to take a decision to appoint a suitable Dalit leader as Chief Minister. He cited that the state, which stood by the Congress, has a sizeable population of Dalits. “Currently Mr. Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister and a Dalit Chief Minister has to become. When there are discussions around the leadership, this (Dalit Chief Minister issue) comes up,” he told reporters.
His comments came on a day when the chief minister made another statement about the possibility of a Vokkaliga or Dalit leader becoming chief minister only through the Congress.
In the last fortnight, the issue of leadership has resurfaced with Chief Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s son and Dr. Mahadevappa made a statement in favor of Mr. Siddaramaiah’s continuation even as legislators Iqbal Hussain, HC Balakrishna and Shivaganga Basavaraj supported Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The overseas trip of more than two dozen Congress legislators is also seen as an effort by the chief minister’s camp to show its strength amid the leadership battle.
“The High Command has concluded”
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi claimed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told him that the high command had come to a conclusion on the leadership issue and it would be in place at an appropriate time. The Valmiki community leader, who is believed to be in the running for the post of KPCC president, was accompanied by former minister KN Rajanna, another Valmiki leader and several legislators from North Karnataka.
But on Sunday, Mr Jarkiholi told reporters in Belagavi: “This trip was not in support of any individual leader. We have not heard anything about mid-term changes. The rest is left to the party high command. We have no idea about changes in the state leadership after the budget is passed. We have told our senior leaders to end the confusion as it could damage the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.”
He further said, “Mr Kharge has given us a clear signal that the issue will be resolved. We don’t know how it will be resolved. But it will definitely be resolved soon.”
DKS asks supporters to shut up
Meanwhile, Mr. Shivakumar said, “I request all my supporters to keep quiet. They should not make any announcement about leadership change in Karnataka. If leaders like Mr. Hussein, Mr. Ganiga and Mr. Basavaraju keep their mouths shut, it will be good for me. I urge them to keep their mouths shut.”
Speaking to reporters in Karwar on speculations about ministers going to Delhi, he said, “The visit of some ministers and party legislators to Delhi may be for work related to their ministries. All those who visited Delhi are our own people. Let us see what these trips were for and what are their consequences.”
Published – 22 Feb 2026 20:12 IST
