Will Karnataka see a change of guard soon? What CM Siddaramaiah says

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rejected speculations regarding a change of guard in the state and said that he will decide on reshuffle with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi after the Assembly polls in Bihar.

Speaking at an event, the CM said that what people say do not matter, what matters is what the high command says. The debate has been on for some time with Siddaramaiah all set to complete half of his present five-year tenure soon, news18.com reported.

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What Siddaramaiah said on the issue

“I will discuss the issue related to cabinet reshuffle with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge only after the Bihar polls. Let people say whatever they wish to. Have Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, or party president Mallikarjun Kharge said anything? It is the media that is discussing it, more than the people. The only thing that matters is high command. What others say does not,” he was quoted to have said.

Recently, State Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stressed on the crucial role played by Siddaramaiah in the Congress and the state. He added that without Siddaramaiah’s support, it would be difficult for the party not only in 2028 Assembly polls but beyond.

The speculations have come at a time when both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are preparing to come to Delhi soon after the Bihar polls. The visits are expected to rest all speculations going on in the state for quite some time now.

How Congress convinced both leaders in 2022

After the elections in 2023, both leaders were in contenders for the top post in the state, but eventually Siddaramaiah was appointed CM, while the Congress convinced Shivakumar to become Deputy CM.