Who Said Karnataka CM Would Be Changed? Congress High Command Shouldn’t Give In To Pressure: Moily

Last Updated:March 10, 2026, 16:09 IST

Veerappa Moily tells News18, "None of us know about it. So we must presume that there was no such assurance."

At a time when the power tussle in Karnataka continues to simmer, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a statement saying that if the Congress high command gave him the opportunity, he would present two more budgets, signalling his will to continue to stay put on the chief minister’s seat and continue for the rest of the term.

“I have presented my 17th Budget. In the state of Karnataka, I hold the record for presenting the highest number of budgets," he said.

The remark raised fresh questions over whether the Chief Minister was signalling his expectation of continuing in office for the full term.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, senior Congressman and former Union minister Veerappa Moily said public statements, claims and counterclaims over leadership were “not desirable for the stability and governance of the Congress party" and that the Congress high command should not succumb to pressure tactics.

Taking a firm stand, he said, “We must all have faith in the high command when they will open up their mind either for a Cabinet reshuffle or for a change in Chief Ministership. None of these things have happened till today."

Moily’s statement comes in the wake of repeated statements made by the supporters of D K Shivakumar as well as Shivakumar himself, giving room for speculation that a change in chief ministership is imminent.

Edited excerpts:

This tug of war, this power tussle that we are seeing with the CM saying he will continue for five years and D.K. Shivakumar sending enough signals that power should be handed to him — is this affecting the Congress?

Coming to the streets and openly making these claims and counterclaims is not desirable for the stability and governance of the Congress party. This will give the Opposition a chance to play their own game. This is the time for Congressmen of all ranks to join together, and if any changes have to be made, there is a proper process for it.

By merely talking and making claims and counterclaims, moving around and forgetting the administration is not desirable. I strongly say that the manner in which those claims are being made is not desirable for the Congress or for the governance or stability of the Congress government in the state.

I think all parties concerned who are raising these issues must stop such activities and concentrate and focus on the administration. If there are any changes — sometimes changes are made, sometimes they are not — ultimately, changes are for better governance and stability. There is a process.

We are seeing dinner meetings taking place, where Satish Jarkiholi has held meetings and supporters of D.K. Shivakumar are also holding meetings. Is this kind of grouping meant to put pressure on the high command to take a decision?

I think under these pressures, the high command should not act. They should be very stern in putting down these pressures, these bickering, these meetings. How many people can be made Chief Minister? Only one. If there are so many claims, that itself will lead to instability.

Speaking of that, we have also seen several first-time MLAs writing to the high command, saying they should be given a chance and that there should be a good mix of young and experienced leaders. But Mr Siddaramaiah has said there is no room for first-time MLAs if a Cabinet expansion happens?

I don’t know if there is space or not. At the same time, I was a first-timer when I was inducted into the Cabinet of Devaraj Urs. The question is that the high command will take its own time to reshuffle the ministry. Only when the reshuffling of the ministry happens will that be decided.

I don’t think there is any prospects opened up now. Both new and old MLAs have to wait for the process to start. I don’t think the high command has started any such process. These MLAs, new or old MLAs, should wait for the process to start and not open such issues. I don’t think the high command has started any such process. By opening such issues, they are opening a Pandora’s box, which is not desirable at all.

Let them wait. I am not saying they cannot become ministers. All of us have become ministers, even as first-time ministers. But the process has not started. We must all have faith in the high command to open up their mind either for a Cabinet reshuffle or for a change in Chief Ministership. None of these things have happened till today.

Is it going to happen?

I don’t know. It is not for us to conjecture. All speculation is mischievous and will lead to destabilisation and is not in the interest of good governance.

There may be many eligible candidates for Chief Ministership, but there is always a time to consider these times. I don’t think there is any call for action at this time to make such offers or claims. People will have to wait for their turn.

In 1980, I should have become CM — I had the majority. I did not make any claims. I continued to serve the government with utmost loyalty and integrity. I too had a break that was considered seriously by the high command. But I waited for my turn. When my turn came, I became CM. There is a method adopted by the high command. I don’t think that standard method should be given up by the high command.

Why is the high command taking so much time to take a decision or even speak about it? This tussle has gone on too long. After the 2.5-year mark has been crossed, it has become more intense. Why is the high command delaying so much?

It is for the high command to choose its own time. I don’t think that should be questioned by anybody. When the time is ripe for that consideration, they will act. Putting pressure, the high command should not be embarrassed.

The high command’s position has to be understood properly. They are walking a very delicate line, when they are working at a very delicate time. They will consider ways and means to resolve. Who said there was a promise of change? Who said they will make a change? All this will not come under consideration.

So there is no promise of a change at all?

I don’t know at all. None of us know about it. So we must presume that there was no such assurance.

News politics Who Said Karnataka CM Would Be Changed? Congress High Command Shouldn’t Give In To Pressure: Moily

Read More