Karnataka Congress Crisis: Will Siddaramaiah vacate the CM’s chair for DK Shivakumar?

The power struggle between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah continues in Karnataka. DK Shivakumar could be next CM after Siddaramaiah completes 2.5 years in power in November. Rahul Gandhi’s decision will be important.

Bengaluru: The tussle within the Congress in Karnataka over the post of Chief Minister has now come out in the open. The confrontation between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah has once again exposed the "fight for the chair" in the party, reports Dynamite News correspondent. The biggest question that is arising is whether there is going to be a transfer of power in Karnataka and whether Siddaramaiah will hand over the CM post to DK Shivakumar.

It is being told that in November 2025, Siddaramaiah will complete two and a half years as Chief Minister. It is being said that under an alleged internal agreement, he has to hand over this post to DK Shivakumar. However, the Congress has never officially confirmed this two-and-a-half-year CM formula.

According to sources, this formula was decided in a meeting between Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala at Venugopal's house. At present, Surjewala is in Karnataka and is meeting MLAs and district presidents in private.

The party claims that this is a review of the performance of the government, and feedback is being taken on the implementation of the manifesto. But internally it is being considered as a preparation for the transfer of power.

Through these meetings, Siddaramaiah's tenure can also be evaluated, on the basis of which the high command can take a decision. This report of Randeep Surjewala will be important for the party leadership, especially if the transfer of power happens in the next six months.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge commented on the issue and said that the final decision will be taken by the high command, which has further intensified the speculation. It is being told that Siddaramaiah wants to remain in the post till the next budget (March-April 2026), while DK Shivakumar wants to take over as soon as two and a half years are completed.

This is the reason why he is not resigning from the post of state president till now, even though he is also the deputy chief minister. Sources claim that DK Shivakumar has contacted more than 100 MLAs. However, Siddaramaiah's faction is claiming full support of the government.

Meanwhile, Dalit leader and Home Minister G. Parameshwara has also been presenting himself for the CM post from time to time, but his claim has weakened due to recent controversies. At the same time, some leaders believe that in view of the upcoming Bihar elections, it would not be right to remove OBC leader Siddaramaiah till then.

This could be exactly like what happened in Chhattisgarh, where TS Singh Deo got the promise of the CM post, but Bhupesh Baghel did not leave the post for five years. Now this decision is in the hands of Rahul Gandhi. According to sources, Rahul has no personal objection to DK Shivakumar. If Shivakumar gets the support of enough MLAs, he can become the next chief minister.

But if Siddaramaiah opposes and his supporting MLAs rebel, then Shivakumar's claim may weaken. In such a situation, Rahul Gandhi may have to look for another option.