NEW DELHI: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, sent to Karnataka as a troubleshooter by the party high command, said on Tuesday that there would be no change in leadership and Siddaramaiah will continue as chief minister.
Surjewala's remark cleared the air that there might be growing crevices between CM Siddharamaih and his deputy DK Shivakumar , which could ultimately lead to wider turmoil in the Karnataka Congress .
"We are not taking an opinion on leadership change in Karnataka," Surjewala said, according to news agency PTI.
"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 in a press conference.
Surjewala, who is also the Karnataka Congress incharge, said his meeting with Karnataka MLAs was to "evaluate work they have done in their segments".
Earlier in the day, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge clarified that there was "no discontentment" and "no talks of change in CM's face", asserting that Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, DK Shivakumar his deputy and Karnataka unit President.
"When the high command has clearly stated, there is nothing of that sort in the decision-making process, then it doesn't matter who says what. Everyone's roles have been very well defined. Siddaramaiah is the CM, DK Shivakumar is the PCC President and the deputy CM," Kharge told news agency ANI.
He also stated that everyone has a right to voice their concerns at an appropriate forum and advised the disgruntled legislators to speak to the party high command.
"Everyone is free to express their opinions at the right forum. If anyone has any problem with the state leadership, they need to speak to the party's High Command, and not the media... There is no fire burning, there is no discontentment... There are no talks of change in CM's face... When the AICC President, the PCC President, and the CM have very clearly stated everything, how does it matter what others say?" he added.
On Monday, CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar presented a united front, holding hands before the media and reaffirming the stability of the Congress government in the state.
Asked whether he and Shivakumar were on good terms, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative. He then raised Shivakumar's hand in a display of unity. On questions about alleged rifts, he said, "We don't listen to what others say," as Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
Shivakumar warns against indiscipline, says 'no one should speak to media' on leadership issue
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar asserted there was no discussion on leadership change in the state and emphasised that the focus should be on strengthening Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government.
Taking a firm line on public remarks by party MLAs, he said, "No one should go before the press. I'm saying it, no press. Whether it is Iqbal Hussain or B R Patil or Balakrishna or anyone else, there is no need."
Shivakumar added that a notice would be issued to Ramanagara MLA H A Iqbal Hussain for suggesting that he should be made CM soon.
“I also don’t want Balakrishna to speak in my favour,” he said, reiterating that discipline was crucial and that "no one is in a hurry" as 2028 remains the long-term goal.
Responding to a question, he said, "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..."
Surjewala's remark cleared the air that there might be growing crevices between CM Siddharamaih and his deputy DK Shivakumar , which could ultimately lead to wider turmoil in the Karnataka Congress .
"We are not taking an opinion on leadership change in Karnataka," Surjewala said, according to news agency PTI.
"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 in a press conference.
Surjewala, who is also the Karnataka Congress incharge, said his meeting with Karnataka MLAs was to "evaluate work they have done in their segments".
VIDEO | "No change in Karnataka leadership," says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala (@rssurjewala) in Bengaluru after meeting state party leaders.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 1, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/eml9RrjBC7
Earlier in the day, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge clarified that there was "no discontentment" and "no talks of change in CM's face", asserting that Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, DK Shivakumar his deputy and Karnataka unit President.
"When the high command has clearly stated, there is nothing of that sort in the decision-making process, then it doesn't matter who says what. Everyone's roles have been very well defined. Siddaramaiah is the CM, DK Shivakumar is the PCC President and the deputy CM," Kharge told news agency ANI.
He also stated that everyone has a right to voice their concerns at an appropriate forum and advised the disgruntled legislators to speak to the party high command.
"Everyone is free to express their opinions at the right forum. If anyone has any problem with the state leadership, they need to speak to the party's High Command, and not the media... There is no fire burning, there is no discontentment... There are no talks of change in CM's face... When the AICC President, the PCC President, and the CM have very clearly stated everything, how does it matter what others say?" he added.
On Monday, CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar presented a united front, holding hands before the media and reaffirming the stability of the Congress government in the state.
Asked whether he and Shivakumar were on good terms, Siddaramaiah replied in the affirmative. He then raised Shivakumar's hand in a display of unity. On questions about alleged rifts, he said, "We don't listen to what others say," as Shivakumar nodded in agreement.
Shivakumar warns against indiscipline, says 'no one should speak to media' on leadership issue
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar asserted there was no discussion on leadership change in the state and emphasised that the focus should be on strengthening Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "...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..."
— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2025
He… pic.twitter.com/QXFkkCIJDO
Taking a firm line on public remarks by party MLAs, he said, "No one should go before the press. I'm saying it, no press. Whether it is Iqbal Hussain or B R Patil or Balakrishna or anyone else, there is no need."
Shivakumar added that a notice would be issued to Ramanagara MLA H A Iqbal Hussain for suggesting that he should be made CM soon.
“I also don’t want Balakrishna to speak in my favour,” he said, reiterating that discipline was crucial and that "no one is in a hurry" as 2028 remains the long-term goal.
Responding to a question, he said, "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..."
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