• Source:JND
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Karnataka Political Crisis: The Congress apparently put to rest the murmurs of a leadership change in Karnataka on Tuesday, with the party's General Secretary in-charge of the state, Randeep Singh Surjewala, stating that the party is not considering suggestions from MLAs to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, at least for the time being.

Surjewala, who continued his meeting with Karnataka MLAs on Tuesday, said "we are not taking opinion on leadership change in Karnataka," noting that his meetings with the legislators are only to review their performance in the past two years.

"Some of you asked me are you taking opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today-- the answer is clearly 'no' in one word," Surjewala said.

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Terming his meetings with MLAs as an organisational exercise, Surjewal said any news being circulated in the media about leadership change is only a "figment of imagination".

Explaining the reason behind his meetings with the Congress MLAs, Surjewala said, "We are meeting the MLAs and MPs. We are trying to understand from our MLAs what work they have done in the past two years in their respective constituencies. It's important to review their performance."

"If I'm an MLA, I'm obliged to ensure that my accountability to the people and the election promises of the Congress party are fulfilled in my constituency. So, I am asking my MLAs to give their report cards," he added.

DK Shivakumar On Karnataka CM Change Rumours

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state chief, DK Shivakumar, whose growing support in the state unit sparked rumours of a possible leadership change, has also sent a "we are united" message and said that "there are no groups in Congress."

"My duty is to give more strength to the discipline of the party. We have to concentrate on the local body elections and the 2028 assembly elections. There are no groups in the Congress party, we are united," Shivakumar said.

"I don't want any MLAs to speak, the party high command will definitely take action against those who are speaking a lot. I don't want anyone to support or shout at me, we will discuss and sort out the problems," Shivakumar, considered as Congress' troubleshooter in Karnataka, said.

"Statements are being made. We want discipline in the party. Discipline is important. No issue of leadership change. There is no discussion or anything on this. No one is in a hurry, 2028 is important for us," he added.

Surjewala also echoed with DK Shivakumar and said the MLAs who have a problem in the functioning of the government should raise it with top leaders of the state.

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"What we deliberate in the party should remain within the party. I have advised my MLAs also. If they have a problem, instead of raising an issue or a non-issue to settle score, raise it with the head of the family -- In the PCC, there is Shivakumar and in the government there is Siddaramaiah," Surjewala said, while sitting next to DK Shivakumar.

What's Happening In Karnataka?

The denial by Congress to change Karnataka CM came amid reports of growing factionalism in the party's state unit, with several MLAs demanding K Shivakumar's elevation to the top post. Several MLAs, including, Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain and Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, claimed that Shivakumar will become the CM later this year. Hussain has claimed that Shivakumar may get an opportunity to become CM in two to three months.

However, Shivakumar slammed these statements and said that he will issue a notice Iqbal Hussain and HC Balakrishna and urged party leaders and legislators not to speak to the press on the leadership change issue. "I will issue a notice to Iqbal Hussain. I don't want anyone to say that I will become the CM. Today or tomorrow, I will issue a notice to him. I also don't want Balakrishna to speak in my favour," Shivakumar said.

Asserting that no leader or MLA from the party should speak to the media on such matters, Shivakumar said, "No one should go before the press. I'm saying it, no press. I'm saying it, whether it is Iqbal Hussain or B R Patil or Balakrishna or anyone else, there is no need. Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, strengthening his hands and the hands of the government is the only thing."

Why The Controversy?

There have been speculations within political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the chief minister change later this year, citing power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. But such talks had taken a backseat for some time, after strong instructions from the party high command.

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There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.