NEW DELHI: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has downplayed the ongoing rivalry between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding the leadership post, asserting that the party will clarify any “confusion” in due course.
This statement follows comments from Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, who indicated that party members would support Kharge if he were to assume the chief minister position. Addressing reporters, Kharge dismissed speculation about his potential elevation, stating, “You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become (the chief minister). But, more than fate and based on my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi decides regarding me.”
Kharge emphasized that there is currently a chief minister in place and that any decisions regarding leadership changes would require time and consensus among senior party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. “Let’s wait and see,” he added.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been vocal about his anticipated promotion, citing an alleged power-sharing agreement with Siddharamaiah that emerged after the Congress party’s victory in the 2023 assembly polls. Speculation surrounding the leadership has intensified since the Congress government reached the halfway point of its term in November last year. Legislative members aligned with Shivakumar have reportedly pressed the party leadership in Delhi for his ascension.
Shivakumar himself has fueled the rumors by suggesting there was “a confidential understanding on leadership transition among five or six leaders” after the Congress’s electoral success. He refrained from elaborating further, stating, “This is confidential. I don’t want to speak publicly on this.”
The ongoing leadership dispute within the ruling party has escalated amid persistent speculation of a potential change in chief minister following the Congress government’s completion of its halfway mark on November 20, 2025. Initial concerns regarding the chief ministerial candidate became apparent after the party’s 2023 victory, ultimately leading to Siddharamaiah’s selection due to his experience and popularity. Reports indicated an agreement that DK Shivakumar would assume the role in the latter half of the government’s term.
