“High Command Has Already Decided — No CM Change”: Yathindra Siddaramaiah Sparks New Political Storm in Karnataka

Delhi: The political atmosphere in Karnataka intensified on Thursday after Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLC and son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, categorically dismissed whispers of a possible leadership shift in the Congress government. His assertion that the “high command has already settled the matter” has, however, only added fuel to the ongoing debate over whether Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should succeed Siddaramaiah midway through the current term.

Yathindra’s comments came amid growing speculation in political circles, and they immediately reignited the “CM vs Deputy CM” narrative—an issue the Congress has been attempting to defuse for months.

Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka escalated the matter by claiming that Karnataka was “suffering because the ruling party is too busy fighting over the top chair.” He argued that public statements by Congress leaders were sending confusing signals at a time when the state should be focusing on development, especially in drought-hit northern districts.

Ashoka referred to recent social media activity by Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, who addressed DK Shivakumar as “Chief Minister,” and Minister Byrathi Suresh’s cryptic remark that “the king is alive,” which the BJP says points to an internal power race.

Inside the Congress, talk of a leadership transition has been steadily growing ever since the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term. Party insiders have often mentioned an informal understanding from 2023—never officially acknowledged—that Shivakumar would take over during the latter half. In the past month, several supporters of the Deputy CM have publicly demanded that the promise be “fulfilled without delay.”