Yathindra Siddaramaiah (L), D K Shivakumar (R)
NEW DELHI: Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday said he believed there would be no change in Karnataka’s leadership and that his father Siddaramaiah was likely to remain chief minister for the full five-year term.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Yathindra said the party high command had given a clear signal, even if not publicly, that there will be no leadership change. He said the issue was settled and that no one in the party had said Siddaramaiah should be removed.“According to me, the high command might not have said it openly, but have given a clear signal that there will not be any leadership change. So I believe that Siddaramaiah will be the CM for five years,” he said.Yathindra also said that apart from media discussions, the leadership change issue was not being discussed in political circles. He added that the government should focus on other matters, including the upcoming budget and the state’s financial situation.
Shivakumar’s sarcastic response
Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, who is also seen as a contender for the chief minister’s post, responded sarcastically to Yathindra’s remarks. “Yathindra is our high command, and let’s accept what he says very respectfully,” Shivakumar told reporters in Mangaluru. He added that if anyone had to clarify the issue, it would be the party’s central leadership in Delhi.
What’s the controversy
The leadership issue had gained attention after the Congress government completed half of its five-year term in November 2025. There has been speculation about a possible power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the government was formed in 2023.Shivakumar has previously said discussions on the issue were held with the Congress high command and that while a decision had been taken, its timing is yet to be finalised.Last month, DK Shivakumar’s brother had said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.