DK Shivakumar may step up as Karnataka CM soon, hints Congress MLA amid rumours of rift

Karnataka's political scene may shift as Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain suggests Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar could become Chief Minister soon.

Published on: Jun 29, 2025, 15:10:24 IST

By Yamini C S, Bengaluru

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Karnataka's political landscape might be in for a significant shake-up, with Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain hinting on Sunday that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar could ascend to the Chief Minister's chair within the next few months, news agency PTI reported. These statements come in the midst of speculations that there is a widening rift between leaders within the Congress party.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar with officials last Saturday. (Representative image) (X/@DKShivakumar)

READ | ‘Jarkiholi will replace DK Shivakumar as Karnataka Cong president’: Minister fuels rumours of rift - Report

Hussain, widely regarded as a close ally of Shivakumar, made the remarks in Ramanagara, sparking renewed chatter about a potential leadership shift in the state. His remarks follow those made by Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna, who also alluded to major political developments, unfolding post-September.

Speaking to the press, Hussain underscored Shivakumar's pivotal role in the Congress’s 2023 electoral triumph and said he could become CM of Karnataka within this year. “Yes, I’m saying it. The date some leaders are hinting at for revolutionary political developments after September — this is what they are talking about. A decision will be made within two to three months. That's what I'm saying. I’m not beating around the bush; I’m speaking directly," he said, as quoted by PTI.

READ | DK Shivakumar shares new video of road sweeper trucks to clean Bengaluru's streets. Video

Asked about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra calling such speculation baseless, Hussain pointed to past decisions made by central Congress leaders. “We were all together in Delhi then. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge made the decision. Everyone knows that. They will take the next decision too — we’ll have to wait and watch,” he noted.

"There is only one power centre — the party high command. In today’s situation, there is an expectation for change, and that change will happen," he further stated.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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