Karnataka CM Speculation Surfaces Amidst Party Discussions

Bengaluru, June 30 (PTI) — As internal discussions among Congress leaders in Karnataka hint at a potential change of Chief Minister, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Monday that such decisions rest with the party high command and cautioned against creating unwarranted issues.

Kharge was addressing questions from the media regarding claims by some state Congress leaders about a shift in the chief ministerial position come October.

"The matter is in the hands of the high command. No one can predict the decisions of the high command. The authority to take further action rests with them. However, there should not be any unnecessary trouble created," Kharge mentioned to reporters.

After the Congress came to power in Karnataka in 2023, speculations arose that Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar would share the Chief Ministerial duties for 2.5 years each under a rotational arrangement. This theory has neither been confirmed nor denied by the party. At present, Siddaramaiah serves as the Chief Minister, with Shivakumar as his deputy.