No CM change in Karnataka for now: Kharge breaks silence on leadership tussle

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (April 30) made it clear that there will be no change in the Chief Minister's post in Karnataka "for now".

However, he added that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.

The Congress chief's statement comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one Union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.

Also read: Karnataka power tussle: BJP leader calls Siddaramaiah ‘Sultan for 15 days’

Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in lines with a rumoured power-sharing agreement with CM Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly polls.

Kharge says no change in CM

"You (media), he (Parameshwara) and people at the top say that it is better if I become (the chief minister). But, more than fate, as per my ideology and as per my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi takes decisions regarding me," he said in response to a question about Home Minister G Parameshwara's statement about Kharge becoming the CM.

Speaking to reporters in Kalaburgai, he said, "But, that question does not arise now. There is already a Chief Minister here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and I, together, have to take any decision in the direction of a change, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."

Amid speculations about the leadership change in Karnataka, Parameshwara said on Wednesday that everyone in the ruling Congress party will welcome, if Kharge, a senior politician with a lot of experience, becomes the chief minister.

Leadership tussle intensifies

The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.

Also read: DK Shivakumar reaffirms faith in Congress high command amid Karnataka leadership buzz

To a question on JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's statement that about 40 Congress MLAs having booked tickets to Delhi next month, amid the leadership tussle in the Congress, Kharge said, "I don't know, ask him for details."

(With agency inputs)