Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday dismissed speculation about a possible leadership change in the state, firmly reiterating that there is “no vacancy” for the post of Chief Minister and ruling out any discussions regarding a power-sharing formula with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Siddaramaiah addressed growing chatter around the so-called “50-50 formula” within the Congress, which some reports had suggested might lead to a mid-term leadership swap between the CM and his deputy. However, the senior Congress leader put all rumours to rest, stating, “There is no discussion for CM change. DK Shivakumar himself has said that there is no vacancy for CM. There is no 50-50 formula.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that both he and Shivakumar are aligned in their commitment to the decisions taken by the Congress high command, and that any future course of action would be guided solely by the leadership in New Delhi. “Whatever decision is taken by the high command, we will follow it,” he said.
Adding further clarity, Siddaramaiah reiterated, “I am the Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am sitting here. There is no vacancy for CM in Karnataka.” He also mentioned that he had sought a meeting with Rahul Gandhi to discuss various issues but had not yet received confirmation of the appointment. “I sought an appointment to meet Rahul Gandhi today. So far, no information,” he noted.
The remarks come amid persistent speculation about a rift within the Karnataka Congress and behind-the-scenes lobbying for leadership roles. The Congress party, which returned to power in Karnataka in the 2023 Assembly elections with a sweeping mandate, had to balance internal dynamics when selecting its leadership — with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar emerging as strong contenders for the top post.
While Siddaramaiah eventually took charge as CM, Shivakumar was appointed Deputy CM and State Congress President. Rumours of an internal agreement regarding a rotational Chief Ministership — reportedly set at 2.5 years each — have lingered in political circles since then. However, Thursday’s statement by Siddaramaiah appears to be an attempt to quell the growing political noise and project a united front.
