Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has ruled out any immediate leadership change in Karnataka, asserting that only the party high command can decide such matters. Amid swirling rumours and statements from Minister Rajanna, senior leaders have dismissed the speculations as baseless and cautioned against creating internal unrest.
Amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has firmly stated that any such decision lies solely with the party’s high command. Speaking to the media on Monday, Kharge underscored that internal discussions or public conjecture carry no weight in the party’s functioning structure when it comes to such significant matters.
“That is in the hands of the high command. Nobody can say what is going on. If any decision is to be made, it will be taken by the high command,” Kharge emphasized when questioned about rumours of changes expected by October.
Kharge’s comments come in response to an ongoing wave of political chatter triggered by Karnataka Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna, who recently suggested that “major changes” were on the horizon for the state Congress unit after September. Rajanna’s statements have sparked intense speculation regarding internal discord within the Congress and the future of key state leadership roles.
Reiterating his position, Kharge stated, “It is left to their discretion. However, no one should indulge in creating unnecessary issues.” His message appeared to be a cautionary note directed at party members who may be fueling speculation and internal tension.
Adding to the party’s official stance, Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala dismissed the idea of a leadership change outright. Calling the rumours a “figment of imagination”, Surjewala aimed to put to rest any notions of a potential shake-up in the Karnataka Congress leadership.
Despite this, Minister Rajanna’s recent comments have kept the political pot boiling. On June 26, Rajanna made headlines by boldly predicting a political upheaval. “Let the month of September pass, and you will witness big changes. There will be a revolution,” he claimed. His comments have been widely interpreted as a hint at possible leadership changes either within the state cabinet or the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
Rajanna has previously been in the news for alleging an attempt to honey-trap him. Following that controversy, he publicly expressed interest in taking over as the KPCC President — a position currently held by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Not stopping there, Rajanna had even expressed his willingness to resign from his current ministerial post, suggesting a deeper strategic ambition.
In another dramatic statement on June 28, Rajanna added fuel to the fire by naming his Cabinet colleague and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi as a potential contender for the post of State Congress President.
These statements have intensified speculation around the growing fault lines within the Karnataka Congress unit. Political observers believe the power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar — two influential leaders from different caste and regional backgrounds — could be driving the ongoing turmoil.
Rajanna’s claim that Siddaramaiah is governing “under pressure” further adds to this narrative, hinting at underlying friction and factional politics. While the high command has so far maintained a neutral and composed front, party insiders suggest that a careful evaluation is indeed underway to assess the political equilibrium in the state.
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The Karnataka Congress leadership has long balanced a delicate power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, which was forged in the wake of the party’s resounding victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. However, persistent rivalries and aspirational ambitions among leaders have occasionally threatened this balance.
As things stand, the Congress high command appears focused on damage control and is striving to send a clear message: the final say rests in Delhi, not in public statements or speculative debates. Whether any real change does occur after September remains to be seen, but for now, Kharge and Surjewala are working hard to enforce party discipline and maintain public confidence in the Karnataka unit.