Bengaluru : The simmering leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress reached Delhi on Tuesday as chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrived in the national capital for crucial meetings with the Congress high command amid continued speculation over a possible leadership reshuffle in the state. Siddaramaiah, while leaving Karnataka Bhavan for Indira Bhavan on Tuesday morning, did not respond to questions from reporters on whether he would complete his full term as chief minister amid leadership change rumours.
The high-level discussions came amid persistent tensions between the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps nearly three years after the Congress returned to power in Karnataka. I have been invited to Delhi. There is a meeting tomorrow (May 26). I do not know the subject of the meeting. They have called the meeting for 11 a.m. AICC General Secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal called me, informed me about the meeting, and invited me to attend,” Siddaramaiah said.
Congress leaders continued attempting to downplay the political significance of the Delhi meeting, insisting it was linked to organisational matters and upcoming elections. Congress leader Ramesh Babu told ANI that the visit was related to consultations over Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. “It is routine work. Since the Rajya Sabha election has been notified, we have to select the 3 candidates from the party in the state.
Ahead of the meeting, Shivakumar reiterated confidence about the Congress returning to power in Karnataka in the 2028 Assembly elections. “You will see, Shivakumar and the Congress government coming back to power,” he said. Recalling the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, Shivakumar said he had predicted Congress’ victory despite the BJP’s confidence at the time. At a time when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was talking about the BJP’s victory, I challenged that Congress would win 136 seats and we came to power, he stated.
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