Karnataka Congress Crisis Live: Siddaramiah, DK Shivakumar at Congress HQ amid key leadership huddle

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar were seen at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhavan, in Delhi on Tuesday as the party leadership began crucial discussions on Karnataka’s political situation.

Top Congress leaders gathered at Indira Bhavan in Delhi on Tuesday for the much-awaited meeting on Karnataka’s political future amid ongoing speculation over a leadership change in the state.

Among those present at the party headquarters were Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Minister Byrathi Suresh was also present at Siddaramaiah's power breakfast right before Congress high command meeting in Delhi on Tuesday.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshawara attends Siddaramaiah's power breakfast ahead of key Congress meeting.

Ministers MB Patil, BK Hariprasad were among those present at Siddaramaiah's power breakfast ahead of Congress high command meeting on Tuesday.

Amid intense speculation over Karnataka’s leadership future, Congress leader BK Hariprasad said he was unaware of the exact agenda of the high command meeting but confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been called to Delhi by the party leadership through KC Venugopal. He said discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi would focus on Karnataka’s political strategy, upcoming elections, the SIR issue and organisational matters.

Dismissing reports of a possible change in Chief Minister, Hariprasad said such discussions were being driven largely by the media and social media. He also hit out at the BJP, saying Congress was fully capable of handling its internal affairs and did not require advice from rivals.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday met Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala at the party headquarters, Indira Bhavan, in Delhi.

The meeting comes amid heightened speculation over Karnataka’s leadership future, with the Congress high command holding crucial discussions on the state’s political situation, including buzz around a possible regime change and Cabinet reshuffle.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached the Congress headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday as the much-awaited meeting on Karnataka’s leadership situation got underway.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar are expected to hold key discussions with the party leadership amid intense speculation over a possible leadership change and Cabinet reshuffle in the state.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday avoided questions on the much-anticipated Karnataka leadership discussions and speculation surrounding his possible role in the state’s political developments.

When asked by reporters about the “big meeting” with Karnataka leaders and whether he would be ready to go to Karnataka, Kharge declined to respond verbally and instead greeted the media with folded hands and a “namaste” before moving on.

Kharge is expected to hold key discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change and Cabinet reshuffle in the state.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shared a breakfast meeting with his ministers in Delhi ahead of a crucial engagement with the Congress high command, which is expected to address speculation over a possible leadership change in the state. (Inputs by Nagarjun Dwarkanath)

Ahead of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah meeting the Congress high command in Delhi, Karnataka minister MB Patil said there was no clarity yet on the exact agenda of the discussions.

“No one has any information about it. It could be about the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, MLC elections... There could be a Cabinet reshuffle as well,” Patil said while responding to questions on the ongoing leadership speculation in the state.

He added that “only Rahul Gandhi knows about it,” and said the details would become clear after Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar meet the Congress leadership in Delhi.

(ANI)

Amid intensifying speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded with a smile and remained silent when asked whether he was set to become the next Chief Minister.

Amid mounting speculation over Karnataka’s political future, sources said Tuesday’s meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and the Congress high command is likely to clear the air around the regime change buzz in the state.

According to sources, a final decision could be taken on Siddaramaiah’s tenure as Chief Minister during the discussions in Delhi. The meeting is being closely watched amid growing chatter over a possible leadership transition and Cabinet reshuffle after the Congress government completed three years in office.

(Source: Rahul Gautam)

Amid intense speculation over Karnataka’s leadership future, sources said the Congress high command is facing a “Catch-22” situation over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is seen as the party’s tallest OBC leader in the state and remains one of its most influential mass faces.

According to sources, party leaders are concerned that removing Siddaramaiah could trigger a strong backlash among OBC communities, given his continued popularity and political standing in Karnataka.

Sources added that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to approach the discussions with an open mind and without preconceived positions. He is likely to hear all sides separately before holding consultations with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the way forward for the state leadership issue.

(Source: Nagarjun Dwarakanath)

Ahead of crucial talks with the Congress leadership in Delhi, sources said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar are likely to be heard separately in one-on-one meetings.

According to sources, Siddaramaiah is expected to tell senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that he would step down only if explicitly asked to do so by the party leadership, while leaving the final decision to the high command.

Sources added that the CM plans to highlight his government’s development work over the last three years, including bypoll victories and the implementation of Congress guarantee schemes.

Close aides have reportedly advised Siddaramaiah not to immediately agree if asked to resign, but instead seek a day’s time. Some have also suggested backing Home Minister G Parameshwara as successor and playing the “Dalit CM” card, though sources said Siddaramaiah remains hesitant about such a move.

(Source: Nagarjun Dwarakanath)

Amid speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Rudrappa Manappa Lamani said there was “no information” regarding any change in leadership ahead of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah meeting the Congress high command in Delhi on Tuesday. “We do not have any information regarding this... We understand that we don’t know what all goes on in politics,” Lamani told reporters, downplaying reports of major developments within the ruling Congress.

He added that he was already serving as Deputy Speaker and had come to Delhi, saying, “After 7, we will meet Madam (Sonia Gandhi) once, and then we will go... There is no development.”

(ANI)

Ahead of crucial discussions with the Congress high command in Delhi, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar performed a special pooja at his regular place of worship in Bengaluru, with sources indicating he is hopeful of a positive response from the party leadership amid ongoing speculation over the state’s leadership issue.

Adding to the political buzz, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara – seen by some party insiders as a potential dark horse in the Chief Ministerial race – also offered prayers before leaving for Delhi along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Amid mounting buzz over Karnataka’s leadership battle, sources said a key meeting on the state was held three days ago at the President’s House between Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal. According to sources, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was aware that the meeting had taken place but was allegedly not informed about its outcome.

Sources further claimed that Venugopal later called Siddaramaiah and asked him to come to Delhi on Tuesday following instructions from the Congress president. The CM was reportedly taken by surprise as he was summoned without being informed about the agenda, adding to speculation over a possible leadership change and Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka.

(Inputs from Sagay Raj)