Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, July 1: Amidst the internal squabbling within the Congress legislature party in Karnataka, the party high command on Tuesday sought to put at rest all talks about leadership change “at least for now” with the deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar also issuing a stern warning to his supporters threatening disciplinary action if they go to the media to air their opinions on the controversial issue.
The Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala whose air dashing to Bengaluru fuelled further speculations on the possible leadership change, told media persons at the state capital on Tuesday that his visit to the city was for discussing necessary organisational changes and not for any change of the chief minister.
Surjewala made it clear that there was “no plan for leadership change” in Karnataka. His statement comes on the back of several days of political buzz around internal factionalism within the ruling Congress, with sections of the leadership allegedly pushing for a reshuffle at the top. The high command’s strong public statement appears intended to send a firm message — to end uncertainty and reinforce stability within the Karnataka government.
He said his presence in Bengaluru was strictly to review the party’s organisational performance and the delivery of governance — not to discuss leadership change. “We are asking them — what work has been done? What’s the status of party meetings? Are any organisational changes needed? Do MLAs have any difficulties or aspirations?” he said, elaborating on the focus of his conversations with party leaders.
He further stressed that the review also involved evaluating the progress and implementation of the government’s key welfare programmes. “We are asking about the guarantees — what has been delivered and how those guarantees are faring. The government belongs to the organisation and the people,” he added, highlighting the party’s focus on accountability and governance. Issuing a categorical denial of the leadership speculation, Surjewala said firmly, “There has been no discussion on leadership change. No opinions are being sought on this either.”
The glum-faced DK Shivakumar, who was sitting next to Mr Surjewala at the press conference, too, denied any talk of leadership change, stating, “There is no leadership change. I don’t want anyone to come out and express support for me.” Emphasizing his focus on governance, he added, “It is our bounden duty to stand by the common man and deliver on our promises.”
Hinting at a climb down, Mr Shivakumar said “nobody needs to fear” him. Taking strong exception to public statements made by some party MLAs, Shivakumar said he would issue a notice to Iqbal Hussain for his remarks. Sending a clear message to the party’s ranks, he warned, “Whether it is HC Balakrishna or BR Patil, nobody should go in front of the media henceforth.”
This fresh round was triggered after Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain claimed that Shivakumar, popularly known as DKS, may get an opportunity to become chief minister in two to three months. Cooperation minister KN Rajanna also hinted at “revolutionary” political developments in the state after September.
Mr Iqbal Hussain had claimed earlier that nearly 100 MLAs are in support of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. He asserted that Shivakumar deserved an opportunity to lead, highlighting the Deputy CM’s tireless efforts for the party and his significant role in strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level. He had also stated that he intended to raise the leadership change issue during his meeting with Mr Surjewala to review the political situation and organisational affairs of the Karnataka Congress. He has also warned that if the high command did not change the Chief Minister, the Congress may not return to power in Karnataka.
But, DKS, who is also the president of the state Congress, put an end to the power change buzz by saying there would be no change in leadership and he did not want anyone to make statements in his support. “Nobody needs to fear. We are undertaking an organisational revamp at the block and zilla levels across the country,” Shivakumar said. “We are listening to the statements made by various MLAs. There is a need to bring discipline into the party. Discipline is important.”
Referring to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s announcement of an organisational revamp across India, Shivakumar said all district presidents have been called and consulted about their needs, responsibilities, infrastructure requirements, and on how to give a fresh look to the organisation. “…Every leader will be spoken to, and local teams will be sent across the state. There is no talk of any leadership change. There is nothing else. For me, 2028 is important,” he said.
Earlier Surjewala ruled out gathering any opinion on leadership change. He said he has been meeting the MLAs and MPs to understand the work done by them in their constituencies. “Some of you asked me if I am taking an opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today – the answer is clearly ‘no’ in one word,” Surjewala said.
However, hours after the Congress tried to send an ‘all is well’ message and end the speculations about leadership change, ruled out any plan to replace Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister, a leaked video of a senior Congress leader has triggered a fresh fire in power corridors. Visuals of three-time MLA BR Patil speaking over the phone have sparked a massive row as the Congress high command races against time in its political firefight.
In a video said to be from Krishnaraja Pete in Mandya, where Mr Patil was on a visit, he is heard saying, “Siddaramaiah hit a lottery. I was the one who introduced him to Sonia Gandhi. His fortunes were good and he became the Chief Minister. I have no Godfather or God. I met (Randeep Singh) Surjewala and said everything I had to. They heard me out with patience, let’s see what happens.”
The video has emerged hours after Mr Surjewala, the Congress high command has rushed to Bengaluru as a trouble-shooter, told the media that no leadership change plan had come up in his discussions with MLAs.
Siddaramaiah yesterday trashed the buzz over a possible leadership change. Speaking in Mysuru, he said the Congress government would remain “as solid as a rock” for five years. Mr Shivakumar at his side, he told the media, “This government will be as solid as a ‘bande’ (rock) for five years.” The Chief Minister’s supporters often call him ‘bande’.
When the media asked him about his ties with Mr Shivakumar, he held the Deputy Chief Minister’s hand to show unity and said, “We are on good terms.” Asked if attempts were being made to drive a wedge between them, he said, “We don’t listen to what others say.”
The current unrest over the Chief Minister post goes back to the 2023 election result in which Congress scored a thumping win. At the time, Mr Shivakumar was considered a strong contender for the top post for his role in the Congress win. Eventually, the Congress leadership managed to convince him to settle for the Deputy Chief Minister and state party chief posts. Some reports had then claimed that an agreement of rotational chief ministership had been reached, but this was never confirmed.
Sources in the Congress have said key changes in the state Congress unit and the cabinet are likely and discussions are being held. Mr Shivakumar, the sources said, did want a cabinet reshuffle. Siddaramaiah, however, is in favour of a rejig because it will firmly place him as the Chief Minister for the rest of the government’s term, which ends in 2028, they added.
