BENGALURU: The proposed visit of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to Delhi on December 24 has reignited speculation over a possible leadership change in the state, even as the party insists that there is no leadership issue.
The timing of the visit—coming days after the conclusion of the winter session of the Karnataka legislature on December 19—has added political significance. Congress sources say the high command had deliberately deferred discussions on the sensitive leadership issue until the session ended to avoid legislative disruption.
Since the Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023, the party has been dogged by talk of an informal power-sharing arrangement under which the chief ministership would rotate midway through the five-year term.
That midpoint was crossed in November 2025, prompting renewed demands from Shivakumar’s supporters. The Siddaramaiah camp, however, maintains that he will complete a full five-year term.
In recent months, the rivalry has played out through multiple Delhi visits by both leaders and their loyalists, carefully choreographed “unity” breakfast meetings, and competing public claims. Recently, Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain (Congress) went on record predicting that Shivakumar would become the CM on January 6, 2026—a statement swiftly played down by the party.
According to reports, the Congress high command—comprising party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi—is expected to hold crucial talks with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar shortly after the Assembly session, possibly around December 24.
While the possibility of a leadership change in the state cannot be ruled out, party insiders caution that it is not a done deal. The high command is said to be keen on a “smooth transition,” if any, rather than a sudden imposition.
Siddaramaiah has repeatedly stated, including on the Assembly floor, that he will continue as the CM “as long as the high command wishes,” while Shivakumar has been actively consolidating support within the party.
Both leaders publicly affirm unity and loyalty to the high command, even as speculation remains rife. For now, the Delhi visit signals that clarity may be closer-but the final call remains firmly with the Congress leadership.