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DKS holds talks with Congress high command
Speculation rises over Karnataka's leadership as Deputy CM DK Shivakumar meets with Congress leaders in Delhi, avoiding direct answers on power changes.
Deputy chief minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar’s series of meetings with senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge, in New Delhi has spurred fresh speculation about the state’s leadership.
Shivakumar met Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday for about half an hour, said people aware of the matter. He held separate discussions with Kharge and party general secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday night, they added.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Shivakumar declined to reveal what was discussed. “We are politicians and we will discuss politics... I have not come here to enjoy Delhi weather,” he said.
Pressed on whether the issue of leadership change was raised, he avoided a direct answer. “Time will tell everything,” he said, before adding, “I have always succeeded in whatever I do or wish for. I might have to struggle but success will ultimately come to me.”
However, he later said the question of his elevation as chief minister had not come up in discussions with the central leadership.
“The party has its own vision and goal. For us the party’s success is important,” said Shivakumar. He added that “patience will pay.”
“The party leadership and seniors will take a call whenever they feel fit in the interest of Karnataka and the party,” he said.
He also sought to dismiss suggestions of internal friction between him and Siddaramaiah. He said there was no power tussle within the state government.
“It is within the BJP,” he added, turning the charge towards the opposition.
The Congress government in Karnataka is set to complete 1,000 days in office on Friday. The milestone is to be marked with the announcement of an additional welfare measure. “We are giving one more guarantee, that is, Bhoomi guarantee. We are giving ‘khata’ to everyone. Those who have built houses, we are giving them ‘pakka khata’ from the revenue department,” Shivakumar said.
On reports that some legislators may travel abroad between February 16 and March 3 —a move alleged to be aimed at delaying any decision on power-sharing — Shivakumar said he had no knowledge of such plans.
“I am not aware of it. I have only seen it in newspapers,” he said.
The development came amid persistent talk within party circles about a reported 2023 arrangement under which chief minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were to share the chief minister’s post for 30 months each. Siddaramaiah completed 30 months in office in November 2025.
Every recent visit to Delhi by either Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar has triggered renewed conjecture about a possible leadership transition, with competing claims circulating among party functionaries.
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