AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Chief Minister of Karnataka will not be replaced in the near future. Amid speculations and calls for clarity from senior Cabinet ministers, Kharge emphasized that there are no current plans to replace Siddaramaiah. He mentioned that any decision regarding a leadership change would involve discussions with senior party leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
Kharge highlighted that the issue of changing the Chief Minister will be addressed at a later stage after thorough deliberations. He dismissed rumors about his own candidacy for the Chief Minister’s position, attributing such talks to media influence. Kharge reiterated that decisions within the party are made collectively by the top leadership and stressed that Karnataka already has an incumbent Chief Minister.
The leadership struggle in Karnataka gained attention following Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi. Subsequently, several Cabinet ministers supporting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also traveled to Delhi to seek clarity from the party high command on the leadership matter. Meanwhile, leaders from Shivakumar’s faction have publicly expressed confidence that he will assume the Chief Minister’s role on May 15, coinciding with his 64th birthday.
Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain recently affirmed in Ramanagara that Shivakumar would indeed become the Chief Minister by May 15. Hussain, a staunch supporter of Shivakumar, reiterated his previous statements and set May 15 as the final date for this transition. He expressed the collective desire of leaders and the public to see Shivakumar as Chief Minister, emphasizing that it is a shared aspiration for him to take on that responsibility.
When asked if Shivakumar would receive the Chief Minister’s position as a birthday gift, Hussain echoed the widespread sentiment that it is a shared wish for him to assume the role of power.
