Amid rising chatter over a possible leadership shift in Karnataka, the Congress high command has decisively quashed all such speculation, reaffirming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s position as secure — at least for the foreseeable future. The clarification was issued by senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, who currently oversees the party’s affairs in Karnataka. He was dispatched to Bengaluru in response to mounting tensions and growing murmurs within the state unit.
Speaking to the media, Surjewala firmly stated that there are “no plans whatsoever for a leadership change” in the state. His comments come in the wake of internal party whispers and media reports suggesting factional unrest and lobbying for a change in leadership. With some sections allegedly pushing for Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to take the reins, the central leadership’s public stance aims to send a strong message — that the current leadership remains intact and the focus must return to governance.
Clarifying the purpose of his visit, Surjewala emphasised that he was in Bengaluru solely to assess organisational performance and ensure effective implementation of governance. “This is a routine review. We’re here to evaluate what’s working, what needs improvement, and to hear the concerns and aspirations of our MLAs,” he said. He added that the discussions revolve around internal party meetings, feedback from legislators, and whether any organisational restructuring is necessary.
Importantly, Surjewala highlighted that one of the key aspects of the review is to measure the effectiveness of the Congress government’s welfare schemes. “We are taking stock of the guarantees — what’s been fulfilled, what’s pending, and how it’s being received on the ground. The government is accountable to the people, and to the organisation that gave it power,” he said.
Refuting any claims of a leadership churn, he categorically stated, “No dialogue is happening around leadership change, and no such opinions are being collected.”
However, adding fuel to the political undercurrent, Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain had earlier remarked that nearly 100 legislators support Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s leadership ambitions. He praised Shivakumar’s consistent efforts in strengthening the party and argued that he deserves a chance to lead the government.
Iqbal Hussain also stated his intent to formally convey this sentiment during the internal review meetings chaired by Surjewala. While the Congress high command has made its stance clear for now, internal dynamics suggest the debate is far from over.
