Published Apr 30, 2026 | 4:33 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 30, 2026 | 4:35 PM
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Synopsis: Mallikarjun Kharge has dismissed talk of a leadership change in Karnataka, saying it is not on the cards “for now” and expressed support for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has dismissed speculation of an imminent leadership change in the Karnataka government after the long-running issue within the ruling Congress surfaced again this week.
Responding to a question about G Parameshwara’s statement on Wednesday, 29 April, that everyone in the party would welcome Kharge taking over as Chief Minister, Kharge backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said such a change is not on the cards “for now”.
“You [the media], he [Home Minister G Parameshwara] and people at the top say that it is better if I become [the chief minister]. But, more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi takes decisions regarding me,” Kharge said, speaking to reporters on Thursday.
“But, that question does not arise now. There is already a Chief Minister here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and I together have to take any decision on a change, it will take some time. Let’s wait and see.”
Also Read: Record outlasts rumours: Siddaramaiah surpasses Devaraj Urs as Karnataka’s longest-serving CM
In the run-up to the Congress government reaching the halfway mark of its five-year term last year, and since then, the Opposition, sections of the media, and a segment of Congress leaders have kept speculation of an imminent leadership change alive.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has long been the favourite to succeed Siddaramaiah in such a scenario, even though he has repeatedly projected unity in public.
Despite the rumours, Siddaramaiah—seen as a successor to Congress stalwart and former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs’s politics prioritising the marginalised, known as “AHINDA”—surpassed Urs as the state’s longest-serving chief minister in January. He is also the only chief minister after Urs to complete a full five-year term.
Speculation largely cooled during the bypolls to Davanagere South and Bagalkot.
In recent weeks, it has picked up again. Senior Congress leader KN Rajanna, a close aide of Siddaramaiah, said on Tuesday that Siddaramaiah will “sacrifice power” if Rahul Gandhi asks him to step down, DH reported.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Anisha Reddy)
