Sonia Gandhi to step in as Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar head to Delhi amid Karnataka power tussle: Report

DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar are set to meet senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on December 14, amid the continuing leadership tussle over the state’s top post, sources said on Saturday, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.

The meeting is scheduled to take place after the Congress’s mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, being organised as part of the party’s ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod’ campaign, which alleges collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission, people familiar with the matter said.

The development comes weeks after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the prevailing “confusion” in Karnataka would be resolved by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and himself, signalling possible high-level intervention in the matter.

Meanwhile, fresh speculation has surfaced within the Karnataka Congress as talk of a leadership tussle refuses to die down, with a party MLA openly claiming that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will take over as chief minister after the ongoing winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. The remarks have reignited an already sensitive debate within the ruling party.

Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain on Friday made the assertion while speaking to reporters at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. He said Shivakumar would replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah once the current session concludes.

“Shivakumar will become the CM after this session,” Hussain said. He argued that Shivakumar has a strong claim to the top post, citing his long political struggle, organisational work and contribution to the party. “For all his effort and the party’s organisation, we are hopeful that he will be rewarded,” Hussain said, adding that the matter has been conveyed to the Congress high command.

Hussain’s comments came a day after Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Dr Yathindra, dismissed reports of any imminent leadership change in the state.

The MLA also claimed that 55 Congress legislators had met for dinner late on Thursday night, drawing sharp attention within political circles. However, he denied that the leadership issue would be settled purely on numerical strength.

“It is not about numbers. It will be a decision, and everyone must be bound by it,” Hussain said. Stressing the need for party discipline, he said the final call would be taken by the Congress leadership in Delhi. “We have been asked to maintain discipline. The high command has said it will take a decision,” he added.

Reacting to the claims, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made it clear that he does not want any public show of support. Speaking to reporters, he said he would not encourage any rallying or display of strength.

“I don’t need anybody to rally for me. It’s not necessary. I don’t want anybody to speak for me,” Shivakumar said. He sought to play down reports of differences within the party, asserting that unity remains intact. “All 140 MLAs are one. The CM and I belong to the same group,” he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, reacted sharply to reports suggesting that he and Shivakumar could be summoned to Delhi by the party leadership. He denied receiving any such communication and expressed irritation over the speculation.

“No one has called. You are asking unnecessarily,” Siddaramaiah told reporters. Questioning the basis of the rumours, he said there had been no message from the high command regarding a leadership change.

With the winter session under way, the Congress leadership situation in Karnataka continues to be closely watched.