Good news for DK Shivakumar: Congress MLA sets date for Karnataka CM change

A Karnataka Congress MLA on Monday sparked a fresh buzz over a possible leadership change in the state, saying he hoped that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will get good news on May 15, which also happens to be his birthday.

Since November last year, there has been speculation of a change of guard in Karnataka after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completed 2.5 years of his tenure. Even though Siddaramaiah has said he will serve the remaining years, a section of legislators loyal to Shivakumar are pushing their case that the Deputy Chief Minister should be promoted.

Asked by reporters whether Shivakumar would become the Chief Minister, MLA Ranganath hoped for positive news, saying the Deputy Chief Minister worked for the party.

“DK Shivakumar has worked for the party and given effort into everything. The whole of Karnataka knows it. We have always said that the high command will take an appropriate call in the future. I believe the high command will reward Shivakumar’s hard work. May 15 is DK Shivakumar’s birthday and I am positive that good news will come,” he said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi met senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi.

Another state minister, HC Mahadevappa, seen as being close to the camp backing DK Shivakumar for the top post, is expected to land in Delhi later tonight, sources said. He is likely to meet the party high command, they added.

The back-to-back meetings have added to speculation over Congress’s leadership plans in Karnataka, where rumours of a power-sharing arrangement and possible leadership change continue to surface.

WHAT IS THE POWER TUSSLE BUZZ?

Rumours of a power struggle in Karnataka date back to 2023, when supporters of Shivakumar claimed there was an informal “rotational Chief Minister” formula within the Congress after its Assembly election victory. According to the so-called deal, Shivakumar was expected to take over midway through the government’s five-year term. However, Siddaramaiah and his supporters have consistently denied that any such arrangement exists.

Speculation resurfaced after Siddaramaiah completed 2.5 years in office in November last year, renewing talk of a possible leadership transition. Despite the chatter, Siddaramaiah has repeatedly said he will continue as Chief Minister, a position Shivakumar has also publicly backed.

As the buzz intensified, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal reportedly called both leaders to Delhi to ease tensions and maintain unity within the party, sources told India Today TV.

Since then, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have held several meetings – including informal breakfast discussions – in an effort to iron out differences. Both leaders have maintained that the Congress remains united and focused on returning to power in the 2028 Assembly polls.

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