The internal leadership battle within the Karnataka Congress has intensified once again as senior leader and Home Minister G. Parameshwara has emerged as a major contender in the growing discussion over a possible change in leadership in the state.
The political developments have gathered pace after election-related activity in five states, including Kerala, concluded, shifting attention back to Karnataka where uncertainty over the Chief Minister’s post has continued for months.
A large public programme planned in Tumkur, Parameshwara’s hometown, has further fuelled speculation around his political ambitions. The event is expected to witness the distribution of over 1.52 lakh property ownership documents to beneficiaries, while representatives from the Guinness World Records organisation are also likely to be present.
Political observers view the scale of the event as a significant show of strength by the Parameshwara camp at a time when discussions over leadership transition within the Congress have become increasingly intense.
The issue of power transfer has remained politically sensitive since late 2025 amid reports of an understanding within the party that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would eventually hand over leadership responsibilities to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
However, Siddaramaiah has continued to remain in office while various alternative leadership possibilities have surfaced within the party, including demands for a Dalit Chief Minister.
Former Karnataka minister K. N. Rajanna openly supported Parameshwara’s candidature and stated that if leadership change takes place, only Parameshwara should become Chief Minister.
“We feel that the time has come for leadership change and the only person we accept will be Parameshwar,” Rajanna said while speaking about the political situation in the state.
He also pointed out that Parameshwara had earlier been considered a potential Chief Ministerial face in 2013 before electoral setbacks changed the political equation at that time.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Working President Satish Jarkiholi attempted to calm speculation by saying that the Congress high command would take the final decision regarding state leadership and all party leaders would have to accept it.
Despite such statements, political activity within different Congress factions has continued to intensify. Siddaramaiah has largely avoided public political confrontation and has remained focused on administrative work, while D K Shivakumar has increased his public outreach through temple visits and political interactions across the state.
