There is speculation over a possible change of guard in Karnataka. Recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke about this. He said that if the high command of the Congress desired, he could remain the Chief Minister for five years. He then made it clear that everything depended on the central leadership of the party. He also said that the decision should be acceptable to himself and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Earlier, Siddaramaiah had said that he would be the Chief Minister for five years. Comparatively, his recent utterances seem different in tone.
The Congress party, which had registered a landslide victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, has to share power after two and a half years. That term ended on November 20, thus freeing up political activity in the state. Subsequent to this, the campaigns went ahead with full throttle, and Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and leaders from both camps traveled to Delhi. It was initially confined to a debate over the Chief Minister's position between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar; now the debate has spread.
All the chief ministerial aspirants have been lately thronging the Bengaluru residence of Mallikarjuna Kharge. Analysts say that DK Shivakumar may not get full support from the top leadership of the party despite his leadership quality. Very few leaders are likely to extend support to him. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly tried to give opportunities to the top leaders from non-Hindu communities in case he does not get the nod. Analysts say that Rahul Gandhi may intervene on the issue.
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