Is DK Shivakumar about to get top post in Karnataka?

Published on: 27 Nov 2025 at 03:28 PM

Published by: Fact News

Fact News Service

New Delhi, November 27: On Thursday morning in Bengaluru, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, a confidante of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, set political temperatures soaring after he said he would accept DK Shivakumar as the Chief Minister if the party high command decided so. A few minutes later, another Siddaramaiah aide, Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, said the complete opposite, asserting that the Chief Minister will continue to remain in the top post.

With this, a new twist was added to an already dramatic leadership battle playing out in Karnataka between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar. The action in the now-on-now-off tussle has moved to Delhi this time, with both sides wanting the Congress leadership to decide once and for all.

Parameshwara added that any transition, if approved by the party, would be smooth.

He also reiterated that he too has Chief Ministerial aspirations, adding that the High Command is fully aware of his “contribution to the party,” while reiterating that the final decision rests with them.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was “also a suitable candidate for Chief Minister,” he said, but maintained he had no knowledge of any pact between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar.

The tussle in Karnataka centres on growing speculation over a leadership change, with pressure building around a reported power-sharing pact between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The chaos intensified as a batch of MLAs loyal to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar flew to Delhi, pressing the party high command for the Chief Minister’s post.

As that pressure mounted, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah camp convened a huddle of its own, aiming to persuade the High Command the chair for the top post isn’t vacant.

The internal feud has forced party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and by extension, senior national leadership, to step in. He has now acknowledged the crisis and promised a decision, warning the ongoing standoff is damaging the party’s image.

“I will call everyone and have a discussion. Rahul Gandhi will also remain present in that discussion. Other members will also remain present. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will also remain present,” Kharge said.

Siddaramaiah, and DK Shivakumar, both maintained that they would go to Delhi should the AICC call them there.