Siddaramaiah asserts he will be CM for full five-year term; D.K. Shivakumar says he will abide by party’s decision

Statement comes after AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark that the party high command will take a call the change of guard in the State government

Amid claims by a few Congress MLAs that Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC chief D.K. Shivakumar will be at the helm of the government later this year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah firmly asserted on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) that he will serve his full five-year term.

The statement, apparently aimed at asserting himself and garnering the support of party MLAs, comes after AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark that the party high command will take a call the change of guard in the State government. On the other hand, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Rajdeep Surjewala, on Tuesday, insisted that discussion on change of guard was not on the agenda.

In response to a question by reporters, ahead of Cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills, whether he will be the Chief Minister for five years the veteran leader shot back, “Yes, I will be. Why do you have the doubt?”

Mr Siddaramaiah’s assertion is expected to provide new political twists and turns in the coming days.

Measured statement

Meanwhile, Mr. Shivakumar, knowing well that he cannot become the Chief Minister by challenging the authority of Mr. Siddaramaiah, made a measured statement and said he has “no objection” and that he will “stand by and support the Chief Minister.”

Mr. Shivakumar, who is nursing the ambition of becoming the Chief Minister since the formation of the government in 2023, is largely banking on the support of the party high command. He has showed his clout with the party’s central leaders by ensuring re-enumeration of castes, and shelving of the decade-old caste census and also by continuing in the KPCC chief’s post. Both these are seen as setback to Mr. Siddaramaiah.

Mr. Shivakumar said on Wednesday in response to Mr. Siddaramaiah’s assertion, “What option do I have? I have to stand by him, support him. I don’t have any objection to it. Whatever the party high command tells and whatever it desires, it will be fulfilled.”

Asked about his supporters citing his sacrifices and his role in bringing the party to power, Mr. Shivakumar said, “I don’t want to discuss anything. Lakhs of workers have supported this party. It is not only D.K. Shivakumar. We have to think about them first.”

On Monday, Mr Siddaramaiah had maintained that the Congress government would remain “solid as a rock” for five years and stated that he and the Deputy Chief Minister were on good terms.

On Tuesday, a show cause notice was served on Ramanagara MLA H.A. Iqbal Hussain, who has been making statements that Mr. Shivakumar should become the Chief Minister. “I have given notice to him. Will have to give notice to others too. Discipline is important. I have not asked anyone to take my name, to make me CM. There is no need for it. When the CM (Siddaramaiah) is there, there is no need for any discord,” the KPCC chief said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Surjewala on Wednesday continued his one-on-one meetings with party MLAs. He is in Karnataka on a damage control mission amid multiple statements being made by party MLAs on governance and other issues.