Bengaluru, November 29, 2025 – In a significant development in Karnataka politics, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly urged his deputy, DK Shivakumar, to take over as the chief minister after the next Assembly elections in 2028. The conversation took place during a much-anticipated breakfast meeting between the two senior Congress leaders on Saturday, sources familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

The meeting comes amid ongoing speculation and media buzz over a possible leadership change in the state, fueled by reports of an earlier “rotational chief minister” arrangement within the Congress-led Karnataka government. While the discussion was described as “productive,” insiders noted that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar stuck firmly to their positions, reflecting the delicate nature of the leadership dynamics within the party.

According to sources, the genesis of the meeting traces back to an informal understanding between the two leaders when Siddaramaiah assumed office in 2023. At the time, reports indicated that a rotational CM arrangement was agreed upon, under which DK Shivakumar would eventually succeed Siddaramaiah midway through the five-year term. However, over the past two and a half years, political developments and media speculation have led to questions about whether this informal arrangement would be honored.

The breakfast meeting was convened at Siddaramaiah’s residence in Bengaluru, with the Congress high command reportedly playing a facilitative role. Sources said the two leaders discussed not only the rotational CM issue but also broader priorities for Karnataka’s governance and future political strategy. First visuals from the meeting, shared by Shivakumar on social media, showed the two seated across a dining table in a cordial setting. Accompanying the visuals, Shivakumar tweeted: “A productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead.”

While Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained that he intends to complete his full five-year term as chief minister, sources indicated that he personally urged Shivakumar to take over the role in 2028 after the next state Assembly elections. This, according to political analysts, can be seen as an attempt to balance internal party equations while reaffirming his own commitment to fulfilling the mandate given by voters in 2023.

In recent weeks, speculation over a potential leadership change in Karnataka intensified. Shivakumar, while denying any discussions with the Congress high command about replacing Siddaramaiah, has kept the political buzz alive through cryptic social media posts. In particular, he emphasized the importance of integrity and commitment with statements such as “keeping one’s word is greatest strength” and “word power is world power,” which many observers interpreted as references to the rotational CM arrangement and party commitments.

The timing of the breakfast meeting is notable, as it follows two and a half years of the Congress-led government’s tenure in Karnataka. During this period, Siddaramaiah has navigated multiple challenges, including governance, public welfare programs, and political management within a state often characterized by factional dynamics. DK Shivakumar, known for his organizational skills and close links with the party cadre, has remained an influential figure in Karnataka politics, making his eventual succession a key element in party planning for future elections.

Sources told HT that despite the cordial tone of the breakfast meeting, the conversation revealed some “impasse” between the two leaders regarding the timing and manner of the leadership transition. Siddaramaiah reportedly reiterated his commitment to completing his current term while also acknowledging the political realities that necessitate a plan for succession. Shivakumar, for his part, is said to have expressed readiness to assume greater responsibilities but underscored the importance of clarity and commitment from all stakeholders.

The Congress high command has reportedly been closely monitoring the situation in Karnataka, given the potential implications for state politics and the party’s broader strategy ahead of national elections. A high-level meeting of senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, is scheduled for Sunday, November 30. According to news agency ANI, the Strategy Group meeting will specifically address the leadership dynamics in Karnataka and deliberate on ways to ensure stability and cohesion within the party ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament.

Political analysts suggest that the meeting between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar could serve as a stepping stone toward formalizing the rotational CM arrangement, ensuring that both leaders’ interests are balanced while maintaining the party’s public image. The Congress leadership is keen to avoid any perception of internal discord, particularly in a politically significant state like Karnataka, which has traditionally played a pivotal role in shaping regional and national politics.

Observers note that the management of leadership transitions in Indian state politics often involves careful negotiation and timing, particularly in the context of coalition dynamics, party hierarchies, and electoral considerations. By inviting Shivakumar for a direct conversation over breakfast, Siddaramaiah appears to have adopted a conciliatory approach, signaling openness to dialogue while asserting his own position on completing his term.

The emphasis on “keeping one’s word,” highlighted in Shivakumar’s social media posts, resonates with the broader narrative of trust and commitment in party politics. In recent years, rotational leadership arrangements have occasionally been a source of tension within state governments, leading to political instability or public speculation. By addressing the matter directly, both leaders appear to be attempting to preempt misunderstandings and reinforce a sense of mutual respect and adherence to agreed-upon commitments.

While the breakfast meeting provided an opportunity for face-to-face discussion, it remains to be seen how the Congress high command will formalize or operationalize the rotational CM arrangement in Karnataka. The upcoming Strategy Group meeting, attended by senior national leaders, is expected to provide guidance and oversight, ensuring that any transition aligns with party strategy and electoral considerations.

For the people of Karnataka, the leadership dynamics between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar carry implications for governance, policy continuity, and development priorities. Both leaders are seasoned politicians with significant experience in administration and party organization, making their interaction and eventual transition a matter of public interest beyond internal party calculations.

In conclusion, the breakfast meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar signals a key moment in Karnataka politics. Siddaramaiah’s apparent encouragement for Shivakumar to assume the CM role after 2028 reflects an effort to balance personal political goals with party strategy and succession planning. While both leaders remain committed to their respective roles, the dialogue underscores the importance of negotiation, trust, and adherence to commitments within the Congress party framework. With the high command’s intervention and the scheduled Strategy Group meeting, the path forward for Karnataka’s leadership appears to be carefully structured, ensuring both continuity in governance and preparation for future political transitions.

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