Will DK Shivakumar Become Karnataka CM? ‘No Revolution,’ Says Deputy CM Amid Congress Leadership Buzz

Amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar clarified that he has no intention of triggering any “revolution” over the Chief Minister’s post. Calling for patience, he said he has never publicly demanded a change in leadership.

Shivakumar, who also serves as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), said discussions about the CM post, if any, are strictly limited to him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party’s high command.

“To this day, I have not spoken about the CM issue at any point. Only if the post is vacant can it be given to anyone else. I have never said it should become vacant,” he told reporters.

Leadership Speculation and Phone Tapping Claims

The statement comes amid rumours of a power tussle within the ruling Indian National Congress in Karnataka. Some reports had alleged that state intelligence was being used to monitor Shivakumar’s camp through phone tapping.

Responding to the claims, Shivakumar said he was unaware of such developments and noted that both Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G. Parameshwara had already addressed the issue publicly.

‘I Don’t Want to Harm the Party’

Emphasising discipline within the party, Shivakumar said he did not want his actions to harm the organisation. “Being the state president, no one should point out that I have done injustice to the party from this position. I don’t want lakhs of workers to suffer because of me,” he said.

He made it clear that he is not interested in blackmail or creating internal instability for personal ambition. Asked whether the Congress central leadership — including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi and general secretary K. C. Venugopal — had discussed the Karnataka issue, Shivakumar said he had no information and had not sought any clarification.

‘Time Will Decide’ on CM Change

When asked if a leadership change could happen after the state budget, Shivakumar responded cautiously: “Time will answer and decide.” Dismissing talk of a “Kranti” (revolution), he said he believes in destiny and patience.

Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s remark that any attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party or Janata Dal (Secular) to lure him would be a “daydream,” Shivakumar said the Chief Minister knows him well, both before and after he joined the Congress.

On whether there were attempts to woo him, he quipped that he would “write a story about it some other time.”

Signals Generational Change in Congress

Shivakumar described himself as a “street fighter” who knows how to fight but not for power. He also indicated openness to generational change within the party, saying that “new blood” and fresh ideas should be encouraged. After completing six years as KPCC president, he hinted that the tenure was “enough” and confirmed he will host a dinner meet on March 10 to mark the milestone.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah dismissed phone-tapping allegations and accused opposition parties of trying to create division, describing their bond as being like “milk and honey.”

As leadership chatter continues, Shivakumar’s message is clear — patience over power struggle, at least for now.