Karnataka's top leadership put an emphatic end to swirling rumours of a looming power shift this week. During a special cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, flanked by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, drove home a simple but powerful message: this government will last the full five years. With the two leaders openly holding hands before the press, Siddaramaiah quipped, “Do you have any doubt?” when questioned about completing the term.
Shivakumar stood firmly by his boss, confiding that he “had no option” but to support Siddaramaiah and abide by the party's directives . This show of unity appears to have been carefully orchestrated to quell escalating speculation—from MLAs to media chatter—suggesting Shivakumar might replace Siddaramaiah after about two and a half years.
Senior Congress figures—from MLA Raghavendra Hitnal to veteran R.V. Deshpande—have reinforced Siddaramaiah's position, assuring that no internal revolt or change is planned. Even Congress high command, including Mallikarjun Kharge, emphasised that the power lies with them and no decision has been made to shift leadership.
With this public declaration, the Congress leadership in Karnataka has cast a firm anchor against uncertainty—signalling stability and continuity, at least for the foreseeable five-year stretch.