Karnataka Congress Leadership Change: Siddaramaiah May Move to Rajya Sabha; Is DK Shivakumar the Next CM?

The Congress party is considering a major leadership transition in Karnataka, with discussions underway over a possible change in the chief minister's post. According to news reports, senior Congress leader and Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah may be moved to a larger national role, while Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is emerging as the likely choice to lead the state government if the transition goes ahead.

Karnataka Congress Leadership Change: Siddaramaiah May Move to Rajya Sabha

The discussions took place in New Delhi and involved several top Congress leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. Meetings reportedly continued for more than six hours as the party leadership discussed Karnataka's political future and ways to avoid internal conflict within the state unit.

According to insiders, Rahul Gandhi held a separate one-on-one meeting with Siddaramaiah and encouraged the veteran leader to take up a bigger role in national politics. The Congress leadership is said to be considering a Rajya Sabha seat for Siddaramaiah, which could eventually pave the way for a larger parliamentary responsibility in the future.

Reports said Siddaramaiah initially expressed reluctance about moving to national politics and reportedly told Rahul Gandhi that he was not looking for a bigger national profile. However, the Congress leadership believes Siddaramaiah's strong OBC image and long political experience could help strengthen the party beyond Karnataka, especially at a time when Congress is trying to expand its social support base nationally.

Is DK Shivakumar the Next Karnataka CM?

At the same time, the party is also trying to ensure a smooth transition in Karnataka if DK Shivakumar is chosen to replace Siddaramaiah as chief minister. Party strategists are reportedly working on a formula that would prevent factional tensions and maintain stability within the Karnataka Congress government.

As part of these discussions, Congress leaders are also believed to have explored the possibility of giving a cabinet position to Siddaramaiah's son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, to make the transition politically easier for the veteran leader and his supporters.

The urgency around the issue has increased because elections for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka are scheduled in June, and Congress is expected to win at least three of those seats. This has opened up the possibility of Siddaramaiah entering Parliament's Upper House if an agreement is reached.

However, Siddaramaiah's supporters within the Karnataka Congress remain strongly opposed to any forced leadership change. Leaders close to the chief minister claim that Siddaramaiah still enjoys the support of a majority of Congress MLAs and ministers in the state. According to sources, his camp has even submitted signatures from around 108 legislators to demonstrate his continued dominance within the party.

Some leaders in Siddaramaiah's camp have reportedly advised him not to resign under pressure. Others believe he could step down voluntarily but refuse any national post if he feels the arrangement is politically unfair.

Senior Congress leaders are also said to be cautious about the possible reaction from the Kuruba community, an influential backward caste group in Karnataka that forms a key support base for Siddaramaiah. Party leaders fear that removing Siddaramaiah without his consent could hurt Congress politically in the state.

Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar Meet Congress High Command

After the Delhi meetings, Siddaramaiah met loyal ministers and MLAs at the residence of senior Karnataka minister KG George. Another round of discussions is expected to take place in Bengaluru, where Siddaramaiah is likely to consult close supporters before taking a final decision on whether to continue as Karnataka chief minister, accept a national role, or challenge the leadership transition plan being discussed within the Congress party.

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