The Congress party has categorically denied any leadership change in Karnataka, putting an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the tenure of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. On July 1, 2025, AICC General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala, who is also in charge of Congress affairs in Karnataka, made a clear statement that "We are not taking opinion on leadership change in Karnataka."

These remarks came amid murmurs within the Karnataka Congress unit and sections of media hinting at a possible replacement of Siddaramaiah later this year. Some Congress MLAs had recently voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s performance, leading to widespread conjecture about Deputy CM DK Shivakumar possibly replacing the sitting Chief Minister.

Surjewala’s Clarification: No Leadership Change Underway

Addressing these rumours directly, Surjewala held a press conference after meeting several Congress MLAs in Bengaluru. He described these meetings as a routine organisational review, jointly conducted by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

He strongly emphasised that the media reports regarding a leadership change are unfounded and called them a "figment of imagination."

"This is a continuous organisational exercise for introspection and development of the state," said Surjewala.
"Over the next one-and-a-half months, we will meet with MLAs, MPs, defeated candidates, DCC chiefs, and later with ministers, the CM and Deputy CM."

He added that MLAs have been advised to raise internal concerns only in party forums, reiterating the Congress’s approach to internal discipline and organisational cohesion.

Kharge’s Position: High Command Will Decide

Echoing Surjewala’s message, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made it clear that the power to decide on leadership lies with the party high command. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Kharge dismissed all speculation, stating:

“It is in the hands of the party high command. No one can say what is going on within those discussions. People should not create confusion or problems unnecessarily.”

Kharge’s remarks reinforced that any decision related to replacing CM Siddaramaiah would be taken solely by the top Congress leadership, and no state-level faction or MLA can pre-empt it.

Backdrop of Discontent in Karnataka Congress

While the Congress publicly denied any change in leadership, the internal dynamics tell a more complex story. Since the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, where the party secured a clear majority, tensions have simmered beneath the surface between supporters of CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

In recent weeks, some Congress MLAs expressed unhappiness with the CM's governance style, citing bureaucratic delays, regional imbalance, and lack of constituency-level attention. These voices, although not directly demanding a change, signalled internal dissatisfaction.

The power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has also come under the scanner. Though there was no official commitment for rotation of the CM post, rumours persisted that the Deputy CM might stake claim after two years in office.

BJP Watching Closely Amid Political Flux

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Karnataka’s main opposition party, has been closely watching the developments within Congress. Several BJP leaders have already accused the ruling party of internal instability and governance paralysis, using the leadership change buzz as political ammunition.

Former CM Basavaraj Bommai and BJP state president BY Vijayendra claimed the Congress is "failing to fulfil its guarantees" and is "too busy managing its internal power struggles."

Congress's Message: Unity and Governance

Despite the buzz, the Congress leadership is clearly trying to present a united front. The message from Surjewala and Kharge is that the party is focused on delivering on its promises, especially the five guarantees which helped it win the 2023 elections.

CM Siddaramaiah, who remains silent publicly, continues to engage in governance activities, including flagship scheme reviews and state-wide development projects.

Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar, though widely popular among party workers and known for his organisational capabilities, has refrained from making any public claim to the CM post, sticking to party protocol and publicly supporting the Chief Minister.

Conclusion: All Eyes on High Command

While Congress leaders deny any plans to replace CM Siddaramaiah, the party is also keeping its cards close. The next 6–8 weeks of internal review may determine whether there is a course correction, a change in leadership, or merely a cabinet reshuffle to pacify factions.

As Karnataka continues to play a pivotal role in Congress’s national narrative, the party cannot afford public infighting or a governance vacuum. Hence, the leadership change narrative is being actively controlled by the high command, for now.

Ultimately, the fate of Siddaramaiah’s tenure hinges not on media reports or MLA murmurs, but on the assessment of the party’s top brass, especially as the Congress gears up for multiple state elections and the 2029 general elections.

For now, the message from the party is clear—Siddaramaiah stays, and Congress stands united in Karnataka.

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