Siddaramaiah to complete full five-year term, denies rotation

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday asserted that he would continue in office for the full five-year term, firmly rejecting speculation about any power-sharing arrangement or rotational chief ministership within the Congress.

Speaking during a discussion in the Karnataka Assembly on issues related to the development of North Karnataka, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in the support of the Congress high command to complete his tenure.

“I am confident that the high command will allow me to complete the full five-year term,” he said, responding to questions from BJP legislators on whether the government’s commitments to North Karnataka would be fulfilled under his leadership.

He reiterated that he had never stated he would serve only for two-and-a-half years as Chief Minister. “I never said that I will be the Chief Minister for two-and-a-half years. I feel the high command is on my side, but I will abide by its decision,” he added.

When BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar questioned his political future, Siddaramaiah responded assertively: “I am the Chief Minister. If the high command decides, I will continue as the Chief Minister in future as well.”

Opposition members pressed him repeatedly on the reported power-sharing agreement between him and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for holding the top post on a rotational basis. Siddaramaiah categorically denied any such arrangement.

Sunil Kumar also urged the Chief Minister to clarify whether he would remain in office to ensure the implementation of promises made to North Karnataka. Siddaramaiah reaffirmed: “I will remain the Chief Minister in future as well.”

Taking a swipe at the BJP, he recalled that senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa had once promised to complete a full term but had to step down before doing so. He also mocked the opposition by saying, “We don’t have anyone to direct us. We are the producer, director and actor, whereas you have a director.”

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid renewed speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, particularly after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year tenure on November 20.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has so far remained silent on Siddaramaiah’s statements, even as political sources say he is likely to hold discussions with the Congress high command during the proposed Delhi meeting on December 24 amid the ongoing leadership issue in Karnataka. Shivakumar’s silence has been seen as a measured approach, keeping options open while the party deliberates on its internal leadership dynamics.