NEW DELHI, MAY 26 (AGENCIES): The leadership tussle in Karnataka appears to have been resolved, with the Congress central leadership unanimously backing Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for the top post, sources told NDTV.
“The entire high command was for transition to DK Shivakumar,” sources said, adding that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been offered a Rajya Sabha seat and a larger national role from Delhi. He has sought time to decide, sources added.
Siddaramaiah has reportedly discussed the development with his loyalists and said he will “abide by the decisions of the high command.” He could step down as early as tomorrow, sources said.
The Congress, which held a six-hour meeting on Tuesday, officially maintained that discussions were limited to Rajya Sabha and MLC elections and warned against speculation. “There is no truth to any other speculation,” said party general secretary KC Venugopal.
The leadership issue has been pending for over a year amid claims from Shivakumar’s supporters that the party had agreed to a rotational Chief Minister formula after the 2023 assembly polls.
Shivakumar, a key state leader, was a contender for the top post but had accepted the Deputy Chief Minister role after assurances of a future elevation, party sources said. However, the party had earlier avoided a leadership change due to Siddaramaiah’s strong backing among the AHINDA (minorities, backward classes and Dalits) groups, which played a crucial role in the 2023 victory by balancing caste equations.
The Congress also delayed any decision amid concerns of political backlash ahead of elections in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
With elections now over and Siddaramaiah’s camp signalling growing pressure, the party has finally decided to move ahead with the transition, sources indicated.
