Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday expressed his readiness to complete his full five-year term in office, provided the Congress party’s central leadership gives its approval.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with party leaders in the state capital, Siddaramaiah addressed swirling speculations about potential leadership changes within the Congress in Karnataka. “I will complete the full term if the high command says so,” he stated firmly, underscoring his loyalty to the party’s top brass.
The remarks come amid internal murmurs and reports of factional tensions in the state unit of the Congress, which has governed Karnataka since May 2023. Siddaramaiah, a veteran leader who previously served as chief minister from 2013 to 2018, was reinstated to the top post following the party’s victory in the 2023 assembly elections. His current tenure has been marked by efforts to implement key promises from the Congress manifesto, including welfare schemes for women, farmers, and youth.
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When pressed on the possibility of a mid-term shift in leadership—rumors that have gained traction in recent weeks due to reported differences with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar—Siddaramaiah dismissed any immediate concerns. “Everything is decided by the high command. I have no personal agenda,” he added, emphasizing the party’s collective decision-making process.
Sources within the Congress indicate that the high command, led by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi, is closely monitoring the situation in Karnataka. A final call on leadership stability is expected after deliberations at the upcoming AICC working committee meeting, though no specific timeline has been confirmed.
Siddaramaiah’s statement appears aimed at quelling unrest among party workers and reinforcing unity ahead of local body elections and other political challenges. The chief minister also highlighted the state government’s achievements, such as the successful rollout of the Gruha Jyothi scheme providing free electricity to households, which he credited for bolstering public support.
As the Congress navigates its southern stronghold, Siddaramaiah’s deference to the high command signals a pragmatic approach to maintaining equilibrium in a politically charged environment. Observers note that any abrupt change could risk alienating key voter bases, particularly in the context of upcoming national polls.
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