Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday publicly reaffirmed his support for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress high command, as internal chatter around a possible change in leadership continues to swirl within the state’s political circles.

Addressing reporters, Shivakumar emphasized his commitment to the party’s decisions, stating that he would fully stand by both the Chief Minister and the directives of the central leadership. His comments come in the backdrop of persistent rumours about a rift between the top two Congress leaders in the state — speculation that has intensified in recent weeks.

While declining to delve into the leadership debate, Shivakumar underlined the broader unity within the party and the backing it receives from grassroots workers. The Deputy CM, who also serves as the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, added that recent meetings led by Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala focused solely on organisational matters, not on cabinet reshuffles or leadership transitions.

Congress Clarifies Amid Leadership Buzz

Meanwhile, Congress MLA BR Patil issued a clarification regarding his earlier remark referring to Siddaramaiah’s appointment as “luck lottery,” asserting that the Chief Minister rose to the top post due to his wide public support and mass appeal.

Siddaramaiah himself responded firmly to questions about the longevity of his tenure, asserting that he would complete the full five-year term as Chief Minister. Dismissing rumours of interference from the opposition, he pointed out that leaders like R Ashoka and BY Vijayendra — both from the BJP — have no role in shaping Congress decisions.

Organisational Focus, Not Power Politics

Party insiders say the leadership is currently more focused on strengthening the Congress structure at the grassroots level, especially with national leadership having declared this as the "Year of Organisation." Shivakumar echoed this view during a media interaction at the KPCC office, saying the party was actively working on empowering district and block-level leadership to reinforce its organisational base ahead of future electoral challenges.