Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has dismissed any claims of a power-sharing arrangement with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, amid growing political speculation about a possible leadership change in the state. He asserted that he would serve the entire five-year term as chief minister and lead the party into the 2028 Assembly elections.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are currently in Delhi, where they are expected to meet senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. Their simultaneous presence in the capital has triggered renewed discussion about a leadership shift in the Karnataka government.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Siddaramaiah acknowledged that Shivakumar aspires to be chief minister, which he said is not unusual in politics. However, he made it clear that there has been no agreement between the two leaders to share the CM post. “Shivakumar has never demanded a change in leadership,” he said. “I am the chief minister for the full term. There has been no discussion or decision on splitting power.”
He also responded to reports suggesting that some Congress legislators are backing Shivakumar for the top role. Siddaramaiah said a few may support him, but most are not in favour of any change. He added that both he and Shivakumar are bound to follow the decisions of the party leadership.
As the Congress government nears the halfway mark of its term, Shivakumar’s perceived push for the chief minister’s post has attracted media attention. However, Siddaramaiah’s son, Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, said in Mysuru that his father will complete his full tenure. He noted that while some leaders may express their ambitions, any decision on leadership will be made by the party high command and the MLAs.
