‘I Don’t Want Anything, Party Will Decide’: DK Shivakumar on CM row

The leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress has been intensified as Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reiterated that no haste is being shown by him and that the decision regarding the Chief Minister’s post will be entirely abided by as determined by the party. His remarks were made amid mounting speculation that both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to New Delhi today, where the future course of the government now completing half its term is expected to be evaluated.

While speaking to reporters on Friday, it was firmly stated by Shivakumar that no personal gains are being sought by him and that the matter will be resolved solely by the party high command. “Nothing is wanted by me. No hurry is being shown. My party will decide. No community angle should be brought in. Congress is my community, and love is held for all sections of society,” he said. Interpretations surrounding his recent meeting with Vokkaliga spiritual leader Nanjavadutha Swamiji were also dismissed by him, with such speculation being termed unnecessary.

Even as rumours about a possible leadership change continued, it was clarified by Shivakumar that his upcoming visit to Delhi is primarily being undertaken to represent Karnataka’s farmer issues ahead of Parliament’s Winter Session. The Centre was strongly criticised by him over the maize procurement crisis, and it was stated that meetings with MPs from Karnataka will be held to push pending state projects.

It was confirmed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge that the issue will be directly addressed by the central leadership. “Sonia, Rahul, and I will fix it. It will be resolved by us sitting together,” he said. His comments made it evident that the decision will be taken collectively by the party’s senior-most leaders.

According to party insiders, internal assessments have been conducted by Kharge, and preparations are being made to convene a meeting today in New Delhi with Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Rahul Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, though leaders have emphasised that the high command is not bound by any rigid deadline. The meeting may be shifted depending on preliminary reconciliation efforts between the two leaders in Bengaluru.

Though Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have not issued individual public statements, their role has been elevated after Kharge explicitly named them as key decision-makers. Their involvement has indicated that the leadership issue has moved beyond routine state-level politics. A directive has been issued by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal instructing both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to first attempt a bilateral resolution before escalating the matter to Delhi.

Meanwhile, any suggestion of a leadership change was dismissed by Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, who termed it a media-driven narrative. It was stated by him that the Congress remains united and that ambiguity is being manufactured by sections of the media and the BJP. “If a meeting between my CM or DCM and me takes place for administrative matters, it is turned into political gossip. The ambiguity lies only with the media and the BJP, not with the public or the Congress,” he said. He added that readiness to meet the high command whenever summoned has already been expressed by both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

The recent completion of half the government’s term has reignited speculation over whether a rotational Chief Ministership agreement was made in 2023. Although any written commitment has been denied by both leaders, pressure has mounted as supporters of Shivakumar insist that such an understanding had existed during the formation of the government.

The involvement of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress president in the final decision has underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgency with which unity is being sought ahead of major electoral battles, including the 2028 Assembly election and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. Whether today’s meeting becomes a decisive turning point will depend on the outcome of last-minute reconciliation efforts in Bengaluru. For now, the reins remain with the Congress high command, and clarity continues to be awaited in Karnataka.