Will Congress Replace Siddaramaiah as Karnataka CM? Kharge Defers Decision to High Command

Karnataka CM: Mallikarjun Kharge did not deny leadership change rumors in Karnataka, passing the decision to the party's high command amid talks of DK Shivakumar replacing CM Siddaramaiah.

Kharge's remark comes as Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala's Bengaluru visit has fueled talks of DK Shivakumar replacing Siddaramaiah as the chief minister.

When asked about the talks that the Karnataka CM would be changed in October, Kharge said, 'That is in the hands of the high command, nobody can say here what is going on in the high command. This is left to the high command; they have the power to take further action, but unnecessarily, one should not create a problem.'

Earlier on Sunday, Karnataka Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain claimed that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become the Chief Minister of the state within the next two to three months.

When asked if Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, would become CM this year, Hussain replied, 'Yes, I’m saying it. The date some leaders are hinting at for revolutionary political developments after September—this is what they are talking about. A decision will be made within two to three months.'

Speculation about a leadership change within the ruling Congress has persisted for some time, linked to an alleged power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Such talk had died down after strong instructions from the party high command.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took potshots at Kharge over his remark that the high command will decide on the leadership change in Karnataka.