Have been called by Congress high command for meet in Delhi, says Siddaramaiah amid leadership change buzz

Will go if I'm called, says Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar

Amid buzz over leadership change and a Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he had been invited by the Congress high command to Delhi for a meeting on Tuesday (May 26).

The Chief Minister, however, said he was unaware of the agenda of the meeting.

"I've been invited to Delhi. Tomorrow there is a meeting by 11 am. I don't know the subject. But, I'm invited. Last night, (AICC general secretary - Organisation) K C Venugopal called me and intimated me about the date and the meeting," Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question on his Delhi visit.

Speculations are rife about the leadership change and Cabinet reshuffle, as the government completed three years in office on May 20.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, "If I'm called (by the high command), I will go."

Shivakumar's supporters have been insisting on his elevation to honour the reported power-sharing agreement with Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections.

Siddaramaiah has asserted that he will complete a full term of five years. He has also said that he would abide by the decision of the high command and would visit Delhi to discuss if called by the party.

On his part, Shivakumar has maintained that he would abide by the decision of the Congress leadership and time would reveal the outcome regarding the change of Chief Minister.

Several party leaders are worried that the leadership issue is having its impact on the governance and the image of the Congress government. They have openly demanded that the high command resolve the issue keeping the party's prospects in the 2028 Assembly polls in mind.

Demand has also been growing from a large section of Congress MLAs, who are ministerial aspirants to effect a Cabinet reshuffle, and give some of them an opportunity to serve as Ministers by replacing some existing ones.

Some aspirants have also traveled to Delhi to meet the party high command regarding this.

According to a PTI report quoting party sources, while Siddaramaiah favours a Cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar wants the party to decide on the leadership change first.

Karnataka has a sanctioned strength of 34 Ministers, including the Chief Minister. Three Cabinet berths are currently vacant.

(With PTI inputs)