Published May 26, 2026 | 12:12 PM ⚊ Updated May 26, 2026 | 12:50 PM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar engage in an animated discussion during the meeting. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met senior Congress leaders in New Delhi amid renewed speculation over a possible leadership change and Cabinet reshuffle in the State. While Siddaramaiah said he would abide by the party high command’s decision, several Congress leaders maintained that the meeting’s agenda was more to do with the party’s organisational planning ahead of upcoming elections.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met senior Congress leaders at Indira Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday, 26 May, alongside a coterie of State unit leaders amid renewed speculation over a possible change in leadership and a Cabinet reshuffle.
Ministers G Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, HC Mahadevappa, Byrathi Suresh, KJ George and MB Patil were among those present, along with senior Congress leader and Haryana in-charge BK Hariprasad and legal adviser Ponnanna.
The Chief Minister held discussions with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also arrived at the venue for the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, Siddaramaiah told mediapersons that he had been summoned by the party high command, but said he had not been informed of the agenda.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior Congress leaders share breakfast at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi ahead of the meeting on Tuesday.
He also kept mum on whether he would complete his tenure amid speculation over a leadership change, but maintained that he would abide by the party’s decision.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completed three years in office on 20 May, but his administration, by the admission of his own ministers and MLAs, has been marred by lethargy, disinterest, allegations of corruption and indecision.
Thanks largely to Siddaramaiah’s popularity, the government continues to hang by the thread of his personal appeal and AHINDA (the Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) support.
The growing sentiment within both the Karnataka Cabinet and the Congress Legislative Party is that Siddaramaiah has become unresponsive and indecisive, and that his administration has slipped into lethargy.
Also Read: The hijab order Karnataka got half right
Minister KJ George dismissed suggestions of confusion within the State leadership and expressed support for Siddaramaiah.
“Don’t know what our Chief Minister will discuss with the AICC president. According to me, there is no confusion about leadership in the state,” he told PTI.
Siddaramaiah greets Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal.
Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad said the Delhi meetings were aimed primarily at discussing the party’s political strategy ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections due in two years. He said the high command, through KC Venugopal, had called Siddaramaiah for a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
The discussions, according to Hariprasad, would also include issues related to the Special Intensive Revision and the steps to be taken within both the party and the government.
“The media wants to increase its TRP, and social media keeps spreading such discussions. The BJP should look at itself first. Their Prime Minister tells people to follow austerity measures, reduce petrol usage, avoid foreign tours, and cut down on expenses, while he himself continues travelling. The BJP should speak about its own matters. Congress is fully capable of handling its own affairs,” he told PTI, referring to speculation over a change in chief minister.
Congress MLA TB Jayachandra said the meeting would also discuss the upcoming Rajya Sabha and MLC elections.
“The candidates for these elections will be decided by the high command, and since the number of seats is limited, all aspirants are in Delhi lobbying and campaigning for their political future. The party also has to make decisions regarding its internal strategy, as three years of the government have already been completed and only two years remain before the next elections,” he told PTI.
“There are many speculations going around, but ultimately the final decision rests with the high command.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
