Change-Of-Guard Talk Resurfaces in Karnataka
Shivakumar brushed off the question saying, “I think the Chief Minister will reply to it,” while Siddaramaiah repeated his familiar line: “We will follow what the High Command says”
Belagavi: The Congress government in Karnataka continues to grapple with the simmering talks over leadership change, despite the High Command’s attempts to keep the matter under wraps. The latest spark came from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who for the second time this week reiterated that there would be no change at the helm, even as supporters of Home Minister G Parameshwara pitched him for the top post, seers weighed in, and the Opposition made light of the turmoil in both the Assembly and Council.
Yathindra’s back-to-back statements have come at a time when everything seemed to be silent in the party, especially after the two breakfast meetings held last month between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and the High Command instructing all leaders to maintain silence. However Yathindra’s comments have reopened the debate.
When reporters asked him about the tussle for the CM post, Yathindra said “There is no tussle for CM post right now. I have already told you. Now everything is clear. High Command has clearly said as of now there will be no change in the leadership. There is no confusion,” he said. He had issued a similar statement on Monday in Belagavi.
While senior leaders including Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have avoided responding sharply, the CM’s son giving such a statement on the issue has not gone down well with many in the Congress.
Shivakumar brushed off the question saying, “I think the Chief Minister will reply to it,” while Siddaramaiah repeated his familiar line: “We will follow what the High Command says.”
The discomfort within the party is evident. MLA Iqbal Hussain, who was earlier issued a notice favouring Shivakumar for the CM post, took a dig, saying, “If I say something, it becomes balatkar (outrage). If he says it, it becomes chamatkar (miracle). One should know what to say and when.”
Minister Satish Jarkiholi attempted to downplay the developments by portraying factional efforts as common in all states.
“In Delhi and Maharashtra too, similar efforts are seen,” he remarked. Yet, he candidly admitted that Yathindra should have avoided such a statement.
Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that everybody in the party would agree with the High Command’s decision. “In Congress, only the High Command decides. Does anyone else have the guts to change anything? There is no need for these discussions now,” he said.
On a personal note he wanted Siddaramaiah to continue till 2028.
With the debate spilling beyond party lines, two seers also were seen weighing in.
Valmiki Guru Peetha’s Sri Prasannananda Swamiji said there was no opposition to Siddaramaiah continuing but insisted that if a change were to occur, a Dalit leader should be chosen — naming Mallikarjun Kharge, G Parameshwara, KH Muniyappa, HC Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi as acceptable options.
Idiga community seer Pranavananda Swamiji, meanwhile, backed Shivakumar and claimed that 18–20 seers shared his view.
The leadership tussle also echoed inside the Legislature, although indirectly. In the Council, Siddaramaiah found his chair placed too close and asked staff to move it a little back prompting an instant reaction from BJP and JD(S) members.
“Let it be CM or PM if there is discomfort, we must say it,” Siddaramaiah responded in a light tone, later joking with JD(S) MLC Bhojegowda to “check the corrected chair”.
When leader of the opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy asked if the CM’s seat was “unstable”, Siddaramaiah replied sharply: “My chair is not unstable. Check if yours is.”
In the Assembly, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar used the opportunity to take a jab at Shivakumar.
“How has your image changed suddenly? Why so much humility?” he asked, even quoting a popular Kannada song by C Ashwath.
“There is a song in Kannada by C Ashwath, ‘Kaanada kadalige hambaliside mana…’ (the heart longs for the unseen ocean). Similarly, DK Shivakumar too seems to be singing ‘Kanuva kurchiyuge hambaliside mana…’ (the heart longs for the chair he desires),” he said.
Even as Congress leaders attempt to play down the controversy, there is a growing sense that the issue could become a political weapon for the Opposition if left unaddressed. Several leaders privately admitted that the High Command needs to intervene decisively to put an end to speculation.
