Senior Karnataka ministers gathered at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s official residence, Kaveri in Bengaluru on Thursday for the much-anticipated “breakfast meeting,” fuelling speculation about a possible leadership change in the state.
His current deputy and possible successor, D K Shivakumar and other cabinet colleagues attended the breakfast meeting.
Siddaramaiah is expected to make the announcement after the breakfast meeting, sources said.
Ministers including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil were seen arriving at the Chief Minister’s residence under heightened security arrangements.
The meeting assumes significance as rumours of a change in leadership have once again gained momentum, despite repeated attempts by the Congress leadership to downplay such claims.
Discussions over a possible transition have periodically surfaced since the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in Karnataka.
The Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, had held several hours of discussions with Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, both jointly and separately, and is expected to take a final call on a possible change of guard after the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled next month.
Sources said the Shivakumar camp has been pressing for Siddaramaiah, to step down from the top post, and a formula offering him a central role has been proposed, which he has not accepted. Siddaramaiah has also been offered a Rajya Sabha seat, according to sources.
At the heart of the leadership dispute is Shivakumar’s demand for elevation as Chief Minister, based on an alleged assurance given during the 2023 Assembly elections that Siddaramaiah would serve the first two-and-a-half years, followed by Shivakumar for the remaining term.
While some reports claim the Congress high command may be leaning towards a change and has conveyed its position to Siddaramaiah, the party has publicly rejected such suggestions.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said the recent discussions focused primarily on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and Legislative Council polls, dismissing reports of an imminent leadership shift as speculation.
Amid the ongoing buzz, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday indicated that matters discussed with the party leadership would be clarified on Thursday. He has also sought time to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan at 3 pm on Thursday.
(With inputs from ANI)
