Karnataka Congress: No CM Change, Focus on Rajya Sabha Polls

A high-stakes meeting convened by the Congress high command in Delhi on May 26, 2026, concluded with the party officially dismissing widespread speculation regarding a change in the Chief Minister's post in Karnataka. The news was prominently reported by NDTV with the headline "No Chief Minister Change In Karnataka, Congress Reveals Delhi Meet Agenda". This aligns with official statements made by Congress general secretaries, including K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, who urged media to cease speculation, asserting that the discussions were solely focused on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. The crucial meeting saw the attendance of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and other key party functionaries. Ahead of the formal talks, CM Siddaramaiah held a breakfast meeting with several loyalist ministers and party colleagues at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi, indicating strategic alignment before facing the central leadership. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar arrived in Delhi amid intense media scrutiny, though both leaders largely remained tight-lipped about the exact agenda, with some ministers even stating that only Rahul Gandhi truly knew the full scope of discussions. Despite the official denials, numerous credible sources and media outlets, including India Today, The Times of India, Deccan Herald, and The New Indian Express, extensively reported on the underlying tensions and persistent speculation surrounding a potential leadership change in the state. The internal friction largely stems from an alleged unwritten power-sharing agreement made when the Congress formed the government in May 2023, reportedly stipulating that Siddaramaiah would serve as Chief Minister for two-and-a-half years, after which Shivakumar would take over. As this purported timeline approached, the absence of any official word or handover preparations fueled the leadership tussle, which has been described as an "open secret" within party circles. Sources cited by India Today even suggested that the Congress leadership had conveyed to Siddaramaiah a potential transition to national politics through the Rajya Sabha, where he could be offered a larger organizational or governance role in Delhi. This indicates that while the party publicly dismissed a CM change, such possibilities were reportedly under consideration or being discussed internally. Furthermore, alongside the Rajya Sabha and MLC elections, discussions were widely expected to cover a possible cabinet reshuffle or expansion, and broader political developments within Karnataka, given the clamor from several senior MLAs and MLCs for ministerial berths. The ongoing power struggle between Siddaramaiah, who recently became Karnataka's longest-serving Chief Minister, and D.K. Shivakumar continues to cast a shadow over the stability of the Congress government in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah, with his strong Ahinda (backward classes, minorities, and Dalits) support base and administrative experience, appears to be consolidating his position, reportedly intending to serve a full term, much to the chagrin of Shivakumar's camp. Shivakumar, known for his organizational skills and fundraising abilities, has consistently lobbied for the top post, making multiple visits to Delhi for this purpose. The prolonged indecisiveness of the Congress high command on this leadership issue, combined with delays in cabinet decisions, is viewed as a challenge not only for the ruling party's internal cohesion but also for governance and organizational stability in Karnataka. Opposition parties, such as the BJP and JD(S), have frequently criticized the Congress government's stability, with leaders like H.D. Kumaraswamy predicting that the government might not last until 2028 due to growing dissatisfaction among Congress MLAs. However, Congress leaders like Dinesh Gundu Rao have consistently asserted the stability and strength of the government. In conclusion, while the official announcement from the Congress party after the Delhi meeting firmly denied any Chief Minister change and outlined an agenda focused on electoral matters, the extensive media coverage and reports from internal sources strongly indicate that the deep-seated leadership tussle between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar and the potential for a cabinet reshuffle were significant, albeit unstated, components of the high-level discussions. The NDTV headline accurately reflects the official party communication.

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