The Congress high command on Tuesday sought to end speculation surrounding a possible leadership change in Karnataka following a crucial meeting in Delhi between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, clarifying that the discussions were centred solely on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar arrived in the national capital to attend a meeting with the party's high command, amid speculations of leadership change in the state.

Following the meeting, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal, in the presence of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, said the discussions revolved entirely around the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for June 18.

Addressing the media, he said, “We had a detailed meeting with Congress President Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi. Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and I were also part of the discussions. The entire discussion was entirely concentrated on the coming Rajya Sabha elections and the Legislative Council elections in Karnataka. Whatever speculation you people had was only speculation. There is no reality in it at all."

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The meeting was attended by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with other senior party leaders.

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A speculation around leadership change in the Karnataka Congress has been brewing since the government completed its 2.5 years of tenure last year. Over the past 18 months, Shivakumar's supporters have repeatedly asserted that he would soon take over as Chief Minister, though the transition has not occurred.