Siddaramaiah–DK Shivakumar leadership tussle ; Basavaraj Rayareddy says ‘CM change is a closed chapter’
Karwar: The ongoing power tussle between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar took a sharper turn on Saturday after senior Congress MLA and Chief Minister’s Economic Adviser Basavaraj Rayareddy strongly questioned the very idea of a “power-sharing agreement” within the party.
Speaking to reporters in Sirsi, Rayareddy dismissed the recurring claims of a leadership change mid-term, asserting that only a “small group of 10–12 MLAs” is pushing the narrative that D.K. Shivakumar should become the next Chief Minister.
“Even D.K. Shivakumar himself has never publicly said he wants to be Chief Minister. So where is this demand coming from? The chapter of CM change is closed,” Rayareddy stated.
He emphasised that the Congress Legislature Party had unanimously chosen Siddaramaiah as its leader after the 2023 Assembly elections, and that decision remains final. “We have 136 MLAs. Only a handful are talking about D.K. Shivakumar becoming CM.
The high command and the legislators decide the leadership, not outsiders. Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister for the full five-year term,” he clarified.
Taking a sharper tone, Rayareddy criticised the ongoing debate about “power sharing,” saying such discussions were inappropriate within a disciplined political organisation. “Is this a business deal to negotiate? Why should there be a power-sharing agreement? There were no such conditions during the CLP meeting. Siddaramaiah is our leader and will remain so,” he said.
The comments come at a time when factionalism within the ruling Congress has become increasingly visible, with several MLAs openly signalling support for D.K. Shivakumar. However, the latest statement from Rayareddy adds further weight to the Siddaramaiah camp’s stance that any talk of a leadership change is unnecessary, premature and detrimental to governance.
With the Congress high command yet to publicly intervene, the internal tussle appears set to continue, even as senior leaders attempt to play it down.
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