Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has once again stirred the political waters by firmly dismissing reports of a pre-determined "power-sharing" or "rotational CM" agreement with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Addressing the media, the veteran leader clarified that no such 2.5-year term limit was ever discussed or agreed upon during the government's formation.
The statement comes at a time when internal murmurs within the Congress party regarding a leadership change have begun to resurface as the government nears its mid-term milestone.
"It's All Media Speculation," says Siddaramaiah
When questioned by reporters about the rumored arrangement to hand over the baton to D.K. Shivakumar after 30 months, Siddaramaiah was categorical in his denial.
- No Such Commitment: "I have never said that I will be the Chief Minister for only two and a half years. There was no such talk or agreement in front of me," Siddaramaiah stated, adding that the High Command's decision is final.
- High Command’s Prerogative: The Chief Minister emphasized that the leadership of the state is determined by the Congress high command based on the prevailing political situation and the will of the legislators.
- Focus on Governance: He urged party workers and the media to focus on the implementation of the "Five Guarantees" and developmental work rather than engaging in speculative leadership debates.
The Context of the Leadership Tussle
The debate over the CM post dates back to May 2023, following the Congress party's thumping victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections. Both Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar were top contenders for the post, leading to a four-day deliberation in New Delhi.
While the party eventually announced Siddaramaiah as the CM and Shivakumar as the sole Deputy CM, rumors persisted that a "50:50 formula" had been brokered by the Congress high command to keep both factions satisfied. However, the party has never officially confirmed the existence of a rotation plan.
Reactions from the D.K. Shivakumar Camp
While D.K. Shivakumar has maintained a disciplined public stance, stating that he will "abide by the party's decision," his supporters and several ministers have frequently hinted that "change is inevitable." The Deputy CM’s brother, D.K. Suresh, and other loyalists have occasionally voiced the sentiment that Shivakumar deserves the top spot for his role in strengthening the party's grassroots.
Opposition Seizes the Opportunity
The opposition BJP and JD(S) have been quick to capitalize on these statements, labeling the Congress government as "unstable."
- BJP’s Critique: Leaders from the BJP alleged that the administrative machinery in Karnataka has slowed down because the ministers are too busy "counting days" and lobbying for future positions.
- Internal Friction: Political analysts suggest that Siddaramaiah’s latest statement is a strategic move to assert his authority and silence detractors within the party who are eyeing the 2026 transition.
