'Constant confusion' over CM issue, Siddaramaiah seeks clarity from Rahul Gandhi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought clarity from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, saying there was "constant confusion" over a power tussle in the state, sources told India Today TV.

According to sources, Siddaramaiah said he was keen to expand his cabinet and sought a meeting with Rahul Gandhi over rumours of a leadership change.

The development comes amid persistent speculation over leadership tensions within the Congress government in Karnataka, even as the party’s central leadership has repeatedly denied any internal crisis.

Last month, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sought to play down reports of a leadership tussle, asserting that there was no confusion at the level of the party high command. “The high command has not created any confusion,” Kharge had said, stressing that any internal issues should be resolved by the state leadership itself.

Kharge also warned party leaders against taking personal credit for the Congress’ electoral success in Karnataka, emphasising that the organisation was built collectively by its workers over decades.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have consistently denied reports of discord. Siddaramaiah has maintained that he enjoys the confidence of the party leadership and will complete his full term, rejecting claims of any rotational chief minister arrangement.

Shivakumar, for his part, has dismissed talk of rifts as media speculation and opposition propaganda. "Aren't the CM and I working like brothers? I don't have any differences with any Congress leader," he had said earlier, adding that the Congress leadership would take a call at an "appropriate time" and that both leaders would abide by the party’s decision.

WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP TUSSLE ALL ABOUT?

The chatter centres on an alleged internal pact that Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar would share the CM's post: 2.5 years each. Siddaramaiah took oath on May 20, 2023, and a leadership change was expected around November 20 last year as the government completed the halfway mark of its term. When nothing moved, some MLAs loyal to Shivakumar escalated their demands and landed in Delhi.

The Congress has denied that no such agreement on sharing of power was reached and repeatedly made it clear that Siddaramaiah would complete the full five-year term.

Reacting to MLAs flying to Delhi amid the tussle buzz, Shivakumar said factionalism was not in his blood and reaffirmed that Siddaramaiah would complete his term as Chief Minister.

"All 140 MLAs are my MLAs. Making a group is not in my blood. Both the Chief Minister and I have time and again said we abide by the high command," the Deputy Chief Minister had said.

He also said it was natural for the MLAs to meet the Congress leadership to lobby for posts ahead of a Cabinet rejig.

The BJP has taken repeated digs at the Karnataka Congress leadership, claiming that Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were locked in a daily power struggle over the Chief Minister's post rather than focusing on governance.

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