Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said he would call a meeting of senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, in New Delhi to discuss the ongoing leadership issue in Karnataka, news agency PTI reported.
He added that the leaders would deliberate on the way forward and resolve the issue, putting an end to the “confusion” surrounding it.
The internal power struggle within the ruling party has intensified amid growing speculation over a potential change in leadership, just days after the Congress Government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The debate has been further fuelled by an alleged “power-sharing” agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.
“After going to Delhi, I will call three-four important leaders and discuss. After the discussion, we will decide how to move forward and put an end to the confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru.
Asked whether the CM and his deputy would be called to the national capital for the talks, Kharge said, “We should certainly call them and discuss. We will call them, discuss with them, and settle the issue.”
“I will call everyone and discuss. Rahul Gandhi will be part of it, along with other members, including the CM and Deputy CM. After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” the Congress chief added.
Responding to a question, Kharge clarified that the “high command” referred to the entire leadership team and not an individual.
“Our high command team will discuss and decide on the matter,” he said.
“If they (high command) call, we will go,” said Deputy CM Shivakumar, responding to the developments, adding that both he and Siddaramaiah would discuss the matter and travel to Delhi if needed.
VIDEO | Bengaluru: Reacting to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge`s `will settle CM change issue, put end to confusion after discussion with senior leaders` remark, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) says, “For us party is more important that everything. I am… pic.twitter.com/z27jRqD4Ug
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 27, 2025
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a meeting with senior ministers and leaders considered close to him, including G Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, HC Mahadevappa, K Venkatesh, and KN Rajanna, at his residence in Bengaluru, official sources told PTI.
Vokkaliga Sangha warns it will fight if ‘injustice’ is done to Shivakumar
The Karnataka Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha on Thursday warned the Congress high command that it would strongly oppose any attempt to deny Deputy Chief Minister (CM) DK Shivakumar the CM’s post, should he be bypassed, PTI reported.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, belongs to the Vokkaliga community, a dominant agrarian group in the state.
“During the assembly election, Shivakumar worked tirelessly, travelling across the state, strengthening the organisation, and as a result, the Congress won 140 seats and emerged victorious in the polls,” Sangha president L Srinivas said at a press conference in Bengaluru.
He also claimed that there was a prior understanding between Shivakumar and the Congress high command, wherein it was promised that Shivakumar would become CM after Siddaramaiah’s two-and-a-half-year term.
“Siddaramaiah had been the CM for five years during his previous tenure. Now, after completing two-and-a-half years this time, there are doubts about whether he will transfer power to Shivakumar,” Srinivas said. He added that several ministers and legislators were travelling to Delhi to seek clarity on this issue.
(With PTI inputs)