Bengaluru: Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday sought to quell speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, stating that there is no immediate plan to replace the Chief Minister. However, he left the door open for a future decision, saying “there is still time” to consider any such move.
“There is already a Chief Minister in place here,” Kharge said, indicating that the party leadership is not currently deliberating a change.
Leadership Buzz Returns Midway Through Government’s Term
The remarks come amid renewed political chatter within the Indian National Congress after the Karnataka government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year tenure in November 2025.
Speculation around a power-sharing arrangement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had surfaced earlier as well, fuelling debates over a possible rotational leadership model.
With election results in multiple states and a Union Territory scheduled for May 4, internal discussions within the party have once again gained momentum.
High Command to Take Final Call
Kharge reiterated that any decision regarding leadership changes would be taken collectively by the Congress high command, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
“In accordance with our party’s functioning, such decisions are taken at the highest level. As of now, the question has not arisen,” he said, underlining that there is no urgency on the issue.
Parameshwara Sparks Debate With Dalit CM Remark
Adding a fresh dimension to the discussion, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara suggested that Kharge himself could be a strong candidate for the Chief Minister’s post.
Highlighting Kharge’s long political career, Parameshwara said that leaders of his generation had previously gone on to become Chief Ministers and that elevating him could be a fitting recognition of his five decades of service.
Bypolls and Political Timing Add to Speculation
The renewed debate also comes ahead of by-election results for two Karnataka Assembly seats—Bagalkot and Davanagere South—scheduled to be announced on May 4.
The bypolls were necessitated following the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H.Y. Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, adding further political significance to the upcoming results.
What Lies Ahead
While Kharge’s remarks have temporarily calmed speculation, the issue of leadership in Karnataka remains a topic of keen interest within political circles. With internal discussions ongoing and key electoral outcomes imminent, the Congress leadership’s next move will be closely watched in the coming days.