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The Karnataka Home Minister said all leadership-related matters should be resolved quickly to allow the government to concentrate on fulfilling promises made to the people.
Resolve Leadership Issue Before Budget: Parameshwara to Congress High Command
Amid growing confusion over the Congress leadership in Karnataka, Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday asked the party high command to step in and settle the issue before the Budget session. He said repeated and conflicting public statements were harming the government’s focus at a crucial time.
Parameshwara said he has always accepted decisions taken by the high command and continues to stand by that view. With the Budget session approaching, he stressed the need for clear decisions so the government can present a development-oriented Budget. He warned that mixed messages from leaders were creating unnecessary uncertainty.
“The Budget session is approaching. All these issues need to be resolved as soon as possible so that we can present a development-oriented Budget. The high command should clarify things at the earliest. There should be no confusion. Right now, one person gives a statement, another gives a different statement. Such things should not happen,” said G Parameshwara.
The Home Minister said all leadership-related matters should be resolved quickly to allow the government to concentrate on fulfilling promises made to the people. He added that confusion must end, as different leaders were giving different versions in public. According to him, such situations should not arise when important policy decisions, including the Budget, are due.
Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar power tussle
The Karnataka Congress is facing an intensifying power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The disagreement centres on rumours of a power-sharing arrangement made in 2023, which allegedly involved a mid-term change in the chief minister’s post. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly denied the existence of any such rotation formula.
Speculation grew stronger in December 2025, when several Congress MLAs reportedly travelled to Delhi seeking a leadership change after the halfway mark of the government’s term. Parallel dinner meetings during Assembly sessions and Shivakumar’s frequent visits to Delhi added to the buzz. Although both leaders later held breakfast meetings and joint press conferences to show unity, factionalism within the party has continued. The BJP has also mocked the Congress over the visible internal divisions.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on December 21 described the issue as “local confusion” and said there was no rift at the high command level. He urged party leaders in Karnataka to follow decisions taken by the central leadership. Another joint visit by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Delhi is expected, as the party leadership looks to calm tensions before the Budget session.
December 22, 2025, 11:23 IST
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