Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar Strike Unity Pose Amid Congress Leadership Buzz

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 13:25 IST

Both the leaders have been summoned by the party leadership for discussions on the long-simmering power tussle in Karnataka.

Karnataka Power Tussle: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar appeared together in New Delhi on Tuesday amid growing buzz over a possible leadership change in Karnataka.

As shared by news agency IANS, both leaders were seen holding discussions at the AICC office ahead of crucial meeting with the Congress high command.

Both the leaders have been summoned by the party leadership for discussions on the long-simmering power tussle in Karnataka, an issue the leadership has so far avoided addressing publicly.

Read More: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar In Delhi: Will Congress Maintain Karnataka Status Quo Or Spring A Surprise?

Siddaramaiah also met Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala at party headquarters ahed of the meeting. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister held a breakfast meeting with state Ministers MB Patil, G Parameshwara, Bhyrati Suresh, Satish Jarakiholi, KJ George, HC Mahadevappa, MLC BK Hariprasad and Legal Advisor AS Ponnanna at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi

Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah arrived separately at Indira Bhawan for meetings with the party high command amid renewed speculation over a possible leadership change in the state. However, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar avoided commenting on the issue while speaking to reporters outside the Congress headquarters.

Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, also attended the meeting as the party attempted to break the deadlock that has dominated Karnataka politics for quiet sometime.

While the focus has largely been on whether Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister or Shivakumar could eventually take over, top Congress sources indicated that the immediate battle has now shifted towards a long-pending cabinet reshuffle.

Top Congress sources have told CNN-News18 that the more immediate battle between the leaders, who arrived at Indira Bhawan in the national capital with their supporters, is now shifting toward the long-pending cabinet reshuffle, adding that how portfolios are distributed could ultimately determine the future balance of power in Karnataka.

The Congress government in Karnataka recently completed three years in office, leaving the party with less than two years before the 2028 Assembly elections. The leadership issue has increasingly become a political challenge for the high command, which has so far avoided taking a definitive stand to prevent upsetting either camp.

Asked about speculation surrounding his continuation as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah dismissed the reports, saying, “Speculations are always there."

Read More: Congress Walks Karnataka Tightrope As DKS, Siddaramaiah Camps Battle For Cabinet Clout

Sources, however, suggested that greater clarity on the leadership issue could emerge within the next few days. Apart from the leadership question, the discussions are also expected to cover the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Legislative Council polls and the possible cabinet reshuffle.

The continued uncertainty has triggered repeated public statements from leaders aligned with both camps, fuelling confusion within the party and raising concerns over governance stability.

Congress also faces the challenge of balancing the influence of both leaders ahead of the next Assembly elections. Siddaramaiah remains the face of the party’s influential AHINDA social coalition of minorities, backward classes and Dalits, while Shivakumar continues to command strong support among the Vokkaliga community and remains one of the Congress’s key strategists and organisational leaders.

With the 2028 elections approaching, the Congress leadership is under pressure to find a formula that keeps both factions united while avoiding further political instability in Karnataka.

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