Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital on Monday, is learnt to have pressed for a cabinet reshuffle around 20 November, when his government completes two-and-a-half years in office. However, the Congress central leadership is understood to be inclined towards maintaining status quo, leading to heightened political unease within the ruling party in Karnataka.
CM seeks approval for reshuffle as term hits midway mark
Siddaramaiah had earlier told reporters that the Congress high command had suggested a reshuffle “four-five months ago”, but he felt it would be more appropriate to undertake the exercise after the government reached its halfway mark. “I will do whatever the high command decides,” he said before meeting Kharge.
Sources indicate that Rahul Gandhi, during a meeting on Saturday, advised Siddaramaiah to place the proposal before Kharge. Yet Kharge remained non-committal at Monday’s meeting, signalling that the leadership is not ready to move swiftly on the matter.
Shivakumar camp uneasy as leadership signals status quo
Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has reportedly conveyed to the high command that any cabinet reshuffle at this stage should not be allowed. His supporters view the move as an attempt to dilute his political standing and possibly obstruct his long-standing ambition to ascend to the CM’s chair.
The DCM returned to Bengaluru on Monday evening without attending Siddaramaiah’s meeting with the Prime Minister earlier in the day — a meeting focused on issues relating to the water resources ministry, which he heads. Although both leaders did attend a lunch with party colleagues later, the absence triggered speculation about widening fissures between the two camps.
Adding to the tensions, Shivakumar’s supporters are also upset over his inability to secure a meeting with Rahul Gandhi during his three-day Delhi stay. The perceived lack of acknowledgement has reportedly aggravated frustration within his camp, which believes the Congress leadership is delaying a resolution on the unwritten understanding allegedly made in 2023 regarding power-sharing.
DCM dismisses political interpretations of Delhi visit
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said his trip to Delhi was purely administrative, focused on the state’s interests. “I did not meet anybody. The CM met the PM. I led a march for the Mekedatu project, fought for water and faced court cases too. I felicitated our lawyer, Shyam Diwan, this morning,” he said.
When asked about the proposed cabinet reshuffle, he responded sarcastically, “Go and ask soothsayers,” but maintained that there was nothing unusual about legislators aspiring for ministerial positions. He also reiterated that the reshuffle is the CM’s prerogative.
Lobbying intensifies as leadership faces pressure
Meanwhile, discontent within the Congress has escalated. Some leaders aligned with Siddaramaiah are reportedly lobbying for a change in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership, advocating for Shivakumar’s removal from the post of state party president. Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi has emerged as one of the more vocal critics.
Several Siddaramaiah loyalists, including former minister KN Rajanna, reached New Delhi on Monday to support the CM’s stance and press their case before the high command.
The Congress is expected to hold further internal discussions in the coming days, though no definitive timeline has been shared. For now, the party leadership appears inclined to avoid major organisational churn as political equations in Karnataka remain delicate.