'Secret Deal': DK Shivakumar's Cryptic Remark Heightens Karnataka CM Change Buzz; What Now?

Last Updated:November 25, 2025, 20:25 IST

While Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has said he will complete the full term, his deputy DK Shivakumar's remarks indicate that the Congress wants to be tight-lipped about the issue

There has been much speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, suggesting that CM Siddaramaiah (R) could step down to make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar (L). (Image: PTI/File)

The speculation around the Karnataka leadership change refuses to die down with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar reportedly involved in an intense internal power tussle.

With the ruling Congress led by Siddaramaiah completing 2.5 years in power on November 20, the buzz around the “CM change" issue heightened with Shivakumar’s cryptic remarks about a “secret deal" on power sharing between him and Siddaramaiah.

While Siddaramaiah has time and again stressed that he will complete the full term, Shivakumar’s remarks have indicated that the Congress wants to be tight-lipped about the issue. The two leaders have, however, maintained that they will abide by the final decision of the party high command. 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also refused to comment on the matter, insisting that the issue should not be discussed publicly and will be settled by the party’s central leadership. Only last week, leaders from the “Shivakumar camp" had reportedly travelled to Delhi to push for him to become the chief minister, especially since decisions about a cabinet reshuffle are seen as a signal if Siddaramaiah will finish his term.

According to party insiders, if the Congress high command approves the cabinet reshuffle, it will likely signal that Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term, thereby scuttling Shivakumar’s chances of occupying the top post.

WHAT DID DK SHIVAKUMAR SAY?

Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress chief, addressed the CM change issue by refusing to discuss it publicly but labelled it a “secret deal" struck between “five and six of us" in the party.

This was cryptic at the most, but he also affirmed that he believes in his conscience and does not want to cause any embarrassment for the party or weaken it.

“If the party is there, we are there. If karyakartas are there, we are there," Shivakumar said. “I don’t know. I have not asked to make me the CM."

While speaking in his home constituency of Kanakapura, he praised Siddaramaiah. “The CM has spoken. He is a senior leader. He is an asset to the party," he said, expressing happiness that the senior leader will be presenting the next budget.

He, however, noted that the CM has completed 7.5 years in the role, including an earlier five-year term. He said the party should work together with the targets of the 2028 assembly election and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls in mind. “I have not telephoned or called any of them (legislators) or spoken to them," he said, when asked about some Congress leaders, including a minister, backing him by travelling to Delhi to demand his elevation.

In fact, he suggested that they might be making efforts to become ministers. “Why should I speak about it? You (media) have written things," he said when asked about an alleged power-sharing agreement.

WHAT DID SIDDARAMAIAH SAY?

Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, reiterated that he will remain in his post for the entire five-year term. But he also pointed out that both he and Shivakumar must abide by the decision of the Congress high command.

“Whatever the high command decides, DK Shivakumar and I should agree. We will act according to the decision of the party high command…" Siddaramaiah said.

He has previously downplayed speculation surrounding a leadership change, calling it an “unnecessary debate" and “media creation". Asked about the cabinet reshuffle, he said the high command had given instructions on it five months ago and he had agreed to execute after the government completed two-and-a-half years.

Siddaramaiah said the senior party leadership would make the final decisions regarding the reshuffle, which involves filling two vacant ministerial posts out of the total 34.

WHAT DID MALLIKARJUN KHARGE SAY?

Kharge has stressed that the issue of leadership change in Karnataka is not a subject suitable for public discussion.

“This is not a subject to be discussed here and that too in public," Kharge told reporters, maintaining that discussions about leadership will only happen internally if a meeting were to take place. “I have nothing to say. Whatever happens, the high command will do it. It is not required to worry too much about it." 

Earlier on November 23, he said the high command will decide on the issue of a change in the CM.

News politics 'Secret Deal': DK Shivakumar's Cryptic Remark Heightens Karnataka CM Change Buzz; What Now?

Read More