Surjewala rules out leadership change, says he is in Karnataka only to gather info on work done by MLAs

AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, MP, on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) categorically said that he is not gathering opinion of party MLAs on leadership change in the State government and claimed that his meetings with MLAs and MPs was to understand the work done by them in their respective constituencies.

Speculation in Congress

Mr. Surjewala’s remark ruling out a change of guard in the State assumed significance amid speculations within the Karnataka Congress over a possible change of guard in the government. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (June 30, 2025) had said that it is the party high command that has to take a call on leadership change in the government.

Both leaders’ issued statements after Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna claimed that a “major political development” was anticipated after September in Karnataka.

Mr Surjewala said that he has been meeting the MLAs, MPs and the party’s office-bearers to understand the work done by them in their respective constituencies.

Addressing reporters at the party office, Mr Surjewala said, “Some of you asked me are you taking opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today - the answer is clearly ‘no’ in one word.”

Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC president, Mr Surjewala said he had a meeting with the party MLAs, MPs, MLCs and party candidates who contested the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He had already met MLAs of Mysuru and Bengaluru divisions.

Reviewing performance

The AICC leader said, “We are meeting the MLAs and MPs. We are trying to understand what work they have done in their constituencies. It is important to review their performance.” He said it was necessary to see the status of the implementation of the five guarantees, which includes free bus travel for women.

On some Congress MLAs’ allegations that there was no development work happening in their segments, Mr. Surjewala said there are sufficient funds available with the government for development in Karnataka.

BJP’s bogey

“This is a bogey raised by BJP in Karnataka. They want the guarantees to be shut down,” the Congress leader alleged. “I reiterate that the BJP leaders from R. Ashoka to B.Y. Vijayendra want to stop the five guarantees. They want ₹58,000 crore not to go to the pockets of Kannadigas in a transparent manner.”

Mr Surjewala was silent on the issues raised about corruption by MLAs in the distribution of houses meant for houseless in Kalaburagi and other parts of the State by the Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan.