Senior Congress leader and Karnataka MLC BK Hariprasad on Tuesday strongly dismissed speculation surrounding a possible leadership change in Karnataka, asserting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was chosen to lead the state for a full five-year term.
His remarks came amid renewed political buzz over an alleged power tussle within the Karnataka Congress and a high-level meeting between Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and the Congress high command in New Delhi.
‘Siddaramaiah Was Chosen for Five Years’
Backing Siddaramaiah’s leadership, Hariprasad stated that there was no reason to discuss a change in chief ministership unless serious allegations emerged against him.
“When Siddaramaiah ji was chosen, he was chosen for five years. If there are serious allegations of corruption or anything else, then we’ll have to think,” Hariprasad told ANI.
He also accused the BJP of spreading rumours through what he called a “troll factory” to destabilise the Congress government in Karnataka.
According to Hariprasad, no Congress leader had publicly raised the issue of replacing Siddaramaiah, and the speculation was being amplified mainly through social media and political narratives pushed by opposition leaders.
Congress High Command Holds Key Meeting in Delhi
The comments came as Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar met senior Congress leaders at Indira Bhavan in New Delhi.
The Karnataka Chief Minister held discussions with Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala ahead of a broader meeting with the party leadership.
While the Congress officially described the meeting as routine, political circles remain abuzz with speculation about a possible “transfer of power” arrangement in Karnataka.
Leadership Change Speculation Refuses to Die
Since Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023, reports of an internal understanding regarding rotational chief ministership between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have surfaced repeatedly.
Several Congress legislators are reportedly backing Shivakumar for the top post, further fuelling speculation over a potential leadership reshuffle.
Sources familiar with internal discussions claim that the party leadership is exploring multiple options, including a possible Rajya Sabha role for Siddaramaiah or a cabinet opportunity for his son Yathindra.
However, sources also indicated that even if Siddaramaiah moves to the Rajya Sabha in the future, it may not automatically pave the way for Shivakumar to become chief minister.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s Name Also Emerges
Amid the political uncertainty, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also reportedly emerged as a possible consensus candidate for the chief minister’s role if the party seeks a middle-ground solution.
Such a move could also open space for KC Venugopal to play a larger organisational role within the Congress party.
Congress Says Focus Is on Defeating BJP
Meanwhile, Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed said the Delhi meeting was convened to discuss organisational matters, including Rajya Sabha elections and MLC polls.
Hariprasad maintained that the Congress remains politically strong in Karnataka and claimed the current focus of the leadership is on preparing strategies to defeat the BJP again in the next Assembly elections.
