Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday avoided engaging in speculation over a possible change in the state’s leadership, as he wrapped up the Congress campaign for the upcoming by-elections in Davangere South Assembly constituency.
With polls scheduled for April 9 in both the constituencies (Davangere South and Bagalkot), Shivakumar, in response to a question on whether the by-election result could lead to a change in the chief minister’s post, said: “There is no need to raise an issue… I have already said that time will answer it.”
He also refused to respond to statements by other leaders, including State Minister Zamir Ahmad Khan, who said Siddaramaiah would remain chief minister until 2028. “I am the party president… Either the prime minister or I will talk about this matter. Other than what we both say, the rest is immaterial,” he said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently confirmed that his government will continue for another two years under his leadership.
These statements came in the wake of the Congress government crossing the halfway point of its term in November 2025, a point that revived debate on the power-sharing understanding announced in 2023.
At the same time, pressures for a cabinet reshuffle are mounting within the party, as legislators of various levels of seniority seek cabinet positions.
Meanwhile, state Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday emphasized that the reshuffle and any leadership decision rests with the chief minister and the party’s central leadership. “I don’t know what they will do about the cabinet reshuffle. What can I say about it? The prime minister and the high leadership have to decide that. It is up to their discretion. It is not right on our part to speculate about it,” he said.
“The MLAs came for the first time and said they wanted to become ministers; two or four MLAs also said they also wanted to become ministers. They held separate dinner meetings to discuss. They reported the matters to the high command and the leadership will decide what to do,” he added.
However, Parameshwara on Monday took a firmer stance on the leadership issue, stating that Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister for the full five-year term under the “current situation”, while stressing that any final decision rests with the Congress high command.
A group of about 40 lawmakers, many with multiple terms, have signaled plans to travel to New Delhi after the byelection to push for inclusion in the cabinet, with some seeking at least 20 members.
