Change in CM post déjà vu: Siddu, DKS leave it to High Command; hints Sonia and Rahul’s views must align
BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday reiterated that any change in the state’s leadership will be decided by the Congress High Command, hinting that the opinions of senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi would guide the decision.
“When it comes to leadership change, I am committed to my statement that I will abide by the High Command’s decision. Leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will take the call,” Siddaramaiah told reporters after attending a breakfast hosted by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at Shivakumar’s Sadashivanagar residence.
Asked when Shivakumar might become Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah quipped, “When the High Command decides.” Both the leaders likely to meet the AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, touted as the Man friday of Rahul Gandhi at the spiritual guru Sri Narayanaguru event scheduled to be held at Mangaluru on Wednesday. Venugopal’s visit could convey directions from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Neither Rahul nor Venugopal had given audience to D K Shivakumar and his younger brother D K Suresh, former Bengaluru rural MP, as they had been insisting that Siddaramaiah should keep his word as the power sharing agreement was struck at the high command level when the party came to power in 2023.
The visit was a reciprocal gesture, following Siddaramaiah’s breakfast for Shivakumar on Saturday, advised by Venugopal, aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two camps over the CM post.
The leaders held one-on-one deliberations for about half an hour, focusing on facing the opposition BJP and the JD(S) United in the winter session of the Karnataka legislature starting December 8 in Belagavi. Both emphasized that their discussions revolved around strategy for the session.
Siddaramaiah noted that the BJP and JD(S) reportedly plan to move a no-confidence motion and raise multiple issues. “Assembly sessions are meant to address people’s issues,” he said, highlighting government interventions for farmers, including the FRP for sugarcane and MSP for maize.
The state expects 54–55 lakh metric tonnes of maize production this monsoon, with poultry alone likely to purchase over 20 lakh tonnes, along with other sectors, he said.
Siddaramaiah criticised the Centre, saying it controls prices and policies but blames the state for any fallout. He added that the Assembly session may be adjourned on the first day to mourn the demise of Congress MLA H Y Meti. He and Shivakumar will also travel to Delhi with an all-party delegation to meet Karnataka MPs on the same day.
The CM confirmed that he and Shivakumar will meet AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal in Mangaluru on Wednesday. On a lighter note, Siddaramaiah mentioned that they had vegetarian food at his residence and non-vegetarian food at Shivakumar’s home, joking that he had asked Shivakumar to bring a village hen, as pure breeds aren’t easily available in the city.
Siddaramaiah asserted that both leaders remain united, share the same ideology, and are committed to working together for victory in the 2028 Assembly elections. DK Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath (a relative of Shivakumar) also joined the breakfast.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said they discussed political matters, including the finalisation of candidates for four MLC elections in 2026. Both leaders have consulted AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, with only one seat left unresolved and an announcement expected soon.
Shivakumar added that they also discussed MLC appointments, government matters, and strategy for the upcoming Winter Session, asserting that the government is fully prepared to counter any issues the opposition may raise. He said that he and Siddaramaiah plan to travel to Delhi on December 8 to escalate issues related to MSP for sugarcane, maize, and other crops with the Centre, and may take 3–4 BJP MLAs and JD(S) leaders along to discuss the non-release of central funds due to Karnataka.
Reiterating unity within the party, Shivakumar said, “It is the media creating the perception of differences. The leadership remains united.”