Though his Bengaluru residence turned out to be a hub of intense political activity, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday washed his hands of from any decision making with respect to the leadership tussle in Congress government in Karnataka, throwing the ball into the “high command’s” court.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met him on Saturday night during which current political developments were discussed, several legislators and Cabinet Ministers also met him on Sunday.
“I have nothing to say about the current political developments. Any decision will be taken by the high command,” Mr. Kharge said, putting the ball in the Gandhi family’s court.
Incidentally, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who has to take a call on the leadership issue, is travelling abroad and is expected to return on November 28, days before the Winter Session of Parliament commences.
Meanwhile, a speculated meeting between the Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar did not take place. Those close to Mr. Shivakumar said that no appointment had been fixed with Mr. Kharge for Monday as well.
“Mr. Shivakumar along with his brother D.K. Suresh have told Mr. Kharge what he has to say during their meeting in Delhi last week. However, if a last-minute meeting is scheduled, the two leaders could meet,” sources said.
Sources aware of the developments said that Mr. Kharge by publicly stating that the high command would take a call, had now indicated that it was the Gandhi family that would take a call.
“With Mr. Rahul Gandhi currently travelling, no amount of meeting or trips to Delhi by legislators and Ministers aligned to both camps would be of any help. Whom will they meet to plead their case?,” they wondered.
The intra-party activities from both camps has increased to build pressure and optics on the leadership during the last week as the government crossed the half-term mark of its tenure on November 20. Mr. Shivakumar and his associates have been building pressure on a purported power-sharing formula agreed by the Chief Minister.
A Minister told The Hindu that it appears Mr. Shivakumar could be building pressure on the leadership, and there seemed to be confusion even among Ministers.
“With the Chief Minister likely to reshuffle the Cabinet, many legislators are also making a beeline to meet Central leaders. Mr. Shivakumar is also building pressure on the leadership issue. Ultimately, it is the high command that takes a call,” he said.
No pact
Stating that he did not see any circumstances that could force the party to change the Chief Minister, G. Parameshwara, Home Minister, told reporters in Bengaluru that “When the Congress Legislature Party elected the Chief Minister we were not told about two-and-a-half years’ power sharing pact. AICC observers had also come then.”
When asked if the circumstances were right to change the Chief Minister, he said: “In the past, M. Veerappa Moily replaced S. Bangarappa. I do not think such circumstances has come now [to replace Chief Minister]. It is the high command that has to decide.”
In Belagavi, the Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi told reporters on Sunday: “We do not know if there is a power-sharing pact. I do not think there is any such pact in Bengaluru. If there was any discussion or pact about this issue that happened in Delhi, we do not know anything about it. Also, any decision on such issues are taken by the party high command in Delhi,” he said.
To a query on the confusion among party workers about a possible change in leadership, he said that the party high command is observing all developments. “We are hopeful that they (central leaders) will come to the right decision at the right time,” he said.
Push for Dalit CM
Even as the speculation over power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar continues to hit the headlines, pressure seems to be building for a Dalit face for the Chief Minister’s post if the party favours change.
While Home Minister G. Parameshwara put himself in the race by stating that he was always in the Chief Minister’s race, his Cabinet colleague and Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who is learnt to be aiming at the KPCC president’s post, said that former’s claim was justified.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Dr. Parameshwara said, “I am always in the race. There has been a demand for Dalit Chief Minister. Just because we demand for Dalit chief minister, it will not happen.”
In Belagavi, Mr. Jarkiholi said, “There is nothing wrong with Dr. Parameshwara making such a claim. His claim is justified. He was the party president for eight years and organised several rallies and party programmes. After all, the main voters for this party are from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities. It is natural to feel that leaders of such communities should get an opportunity to lead the State,” he said.
Published – November 23, 2025 09:38 pm IST
