Congress MLA Claims Shivakumar Will Replace Siddaramaiah As CM After Winter Session, DKS Says… | Politics News

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met today. (Image: X)

Fresh speculation has emerged within the Karnataka Congress amid continuing talk of a leadership tussle at the top. A Congress MLA has now openly claimed that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will take over as chief minister after the ongoing winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. The remarks have added fuel to an already sensitive political debate within the ruling party.

What the MLA said?

Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain on Friday made a blunt claim while speaking to reporters at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. He said that Shivakumar would replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah once the current session concludes.

“Shivakumar will become the CM after this session,” Hussain said. He added that Shivakumar had a strong claim to the post because of his long struggle, organisational work and contribution to the party. “For all his effort and the party’s organisation, we are hopeful that he will be rewarded,” he said, adding that the matter had been conveyed to the Congress high command.

Hussain’s comments came a day after Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Dr Yathindra, ruled out any leadership change in the state.

Dinner meeting of MLAs

Hussain also claimed that 55 Congress lawmakers had met for dinner late on Thursday night, a statement that quickly drew attention. However, he denied that the leadership question would be decided purely on the basis of numbers.

“It is not about numbers. It will be a decision, and everyone must be bound by it,” he said. Hussain stressed that party discipline was important and that the final call would rest with the Congress high command. “We have been asked to maintain discipline. The high command has said it will take a decision,” he added.

No show of strength, says Shivakumar

Responding to the claims, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made it clear that he did not want any public display of support. Speaking to reporters, he said he would not encourage any show of strength.

“I don’t need anybody to rally for me. It’s not necessary. I don’t want anybody to speak for me,” Shivakumar said. He sought to downplay differences within the party, insisting that unity remained intact. “All 140 MLAs are one. The CM and I belong to the same group,” he said.

Siddaramaiah dismisses Delhi summons talk

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, reacted sharply to reports suggesting that he and Shivakumar could be summoned to Delhi by the party leadership. He denied receiving any such call and expressed annoyance over the speculation.

“No one has called. You are asking unnecessarily,” Siddaramaiah told reporters. He questioned the basis of the rumours and said there was no communication from the high command regarding a leadership change.

As the winter session continues, the Congress leadership in Karnataka remains under close watch.

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