‘Calling Everyone For Talks’: Mallikarjun Kharge Steps In To Defuse Karnataka CM Drama

Last Updated:November 27, 2025, 11:13 IST

Mallikarjun Kharge said Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will join the discussions before any final call is taken.

Kharge said the final decision will be taken by the high command. (Image: PTI/File)

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said he has convened a meeting of senior leaders to address the ongoing power tussle, stressing that no decision will be made without collective consultation.

Kharge said Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will join the discussions before any final call is taken.

“I am calling everyone for discussions, and Rahul Gandhi will also be present in that meeting. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister will also be there. A decision will be taken only after discussing with all of them," Kharge said. Clarifying the role of the central leadership, he added, “‘High command’ means the team — the high command team will sit together and take the final decision."

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday posted a cryptic message on social media amid renewed speculation over a power tussle between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reiterating that “keeping one’s word is the greatest strength in the world."

In the X post, widely interpreted as a message to the Congress high command, Shivakumar urged everyone, including himself, to honour their commitments.

The post read, “Word power is world power. The biggest force in the world was to keep one’s word. Be it a judge, President or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk."

Earlier in the day, senior Congress MLA and former minister KN Rajanna escalated the debate by saying that the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) should decide the chief ministerial issue and even suggested dissolving the Assembly.

“Let’s dissolve the Assembly and face the elections. Then let’s work together under the leadership of DK Shivakumar and come up with a majority. Then let him serve as the CM for 5 years. Wasn’t it the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) that elected Siddaramaiah? Now the decision should be made by the CLP," Rajanna told reporters.

However, while insisting he would not violate the party’s directive against public commentary on leadership issues, Rajanna backed Siddaramaiah for a full term and suggested an alternative. “My personal wish is that Siddaramaiah should be the CM for five years. The AICC will clarify in the next couple of days. Otherwise, the second option is that Dr G Parameshwara should become the CM," he said.

CM Siddaramaiah has dismissed the leadership chatter as an “unnecessary debate." At the same time, Shivakumar has reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, denying rumours about resigning as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief. Shivakumar has also sought a meeting with senior party leader Sonia Gandhi on November 29 to discuss the ongoing issues.

News politics ‘Calling Everyone For Talks’: Mallikarjun Kharge Steps In To Defuse Karnataka CM Drama

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