Amid persistent speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, Congress MLC and son of chief minister Siddaramaiah, has firmly reiterated that the party does not intend to alter the state’s leadership structure “as of now.” Speaking to reporters in Belagavi on Thursday, Yatindra attempted to put an end to days of political chatter regarding a perceived rift between his father and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, insisting that the Congress high command has already clarified its position on the matter.

According to Yatindra, the party’s central leadership has assessed the situation and conveyed that the question of replacing the chief minister does not arise at this time. “There is no tussle for the CM post right now. I have already told you. Now everything is clear. The high command has clearly said, ‘there will be no change in the leadership’,” he told reporters, echoing the message he delivered earlier in the week. His comments are seen as part of a broader effort by the ruling party to control the narrative amid mounting reports suggesting tensions between the CM and his deputy, especially as Siddaramaiah completes the halfway mark of his term.

Yatindra’s latest clarification comes just a day after chief minister Siddaramaiah publicly declared that he and DK Shivakumar remain committed to following whatever directive the Congress high command eventually issues. He refrained from dismissing or confirming speculation outright but emphasised that the party leadership in Delhi holds the final say. “Whatever the High Command decides, that is what will happen,” Siddaramaiah said, according to comments attributed to him by news agency ANI. His statement reflected the familiar Congress practice of entrusting crucial decisions about state leadership to the central command, but it also did little to quell ongoing speculation about whether Karnataka might witness a mid-term shift in power.

Only a day prior to Siddaramaiah’s remarks, Shivakumar himself had attempted to project unity within the party, asserting that there were no differences between him and the chief minister. While denying any internal rift, Shivakumar also expressed confusion over Yatindra’s earlier comments which had suggested that Siddaramaiah would remain chief minister for the full five-year term and that the question of leadership change simply did not arise at this stage. Shivakumar indicated that he had not fully understood the context or intent behind those remarks and intended to seek clarity directly from Yatindra. “Everything is fine. There is no difference between me and the chief minister—it was never there, it is not there today, and it won’t be there in the future. I have not understood what he has said. I will speak to him,” he said, while trying to reinforce a message of internal cohesion.

Despite these assurances by all parties involved, the situation continues to draw attention due to the political undertones embedded in the timing of these statements. Siddaramaiah assumed office following the Congress party’s sweeping victory in the Karnataka assembly elections, and with the completion of his government’s half term, questions have resurfaced over whether the leadership arrangement established in 2023—which installed Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as his deputy—was intended to last the entire five-year period or only the first half. Although the party has never officially confirmed any such arrangement, the speculation has persisted in political circles and among party workers.

The Congress high command, while reportedly monitoring the developments closely, has so far refrained from issuing any public statement that could either settle or validate the ongoing debate. The absence of an explicit clarification has left room for political observers and internal factions to interpret the silence in various ways. Some believe that the high command is deliberately avoiding taking a public position to maintain leverage over both leaders, while others argue that the party is attempting to prevent further escalation of internal discussions that may distract from governance.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to demonstrate unity and cooperation, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar recently hosted each other for breakfast meetings on the instructions of the party leadership. These meetings were meant to signal that the two leaders remain aligned in their commitment to running the government and working together. However, according to party insiders, the meetings did not result in any substantial breakthrough or resolution of underlying concerns. While both leaders maintained cordiality, the discussions reportedly did not address or settle the core issue of leadership continuity, leading to further ambiguity.

The backdrop to these developments includes both leaders’ strong constituencies within the state Congress. Siddaramaiah enjoys broad support among several social groups and has long been regarded as one of the tallest leaders in the party’s Karnataka unit. Shivakumar, on the other hand, wields significant organisational clout and has been instrumental in revitalising the party’s cadre structure. His supporters believe that he should eventually have an opportunity to lead the state government, especially considering his role in strengthening the party during its time in opposition. This dynamic, while not unique within the Congress party, has kept the leadership debate alive.

As of now, the only official line emerging from party functionaries on the ground is that the high command has decided against any immediate change, suggesting that Siddaramaiah will continue in his role for the foreseeable future. However, the phrase “as of now,” repeated by multiple leaders, has gained particular significance. It indicates that while no such transition is imminent, the possibility of a future shift has not been conclusively ruled out. For the Congress, managing these internal dynamics will be crucial in maintaining stability in the Karnataka government and avoiding unnecessary political turbulence as the party prepares for upcoming electoral challenges at both state and national levels.

In the absence of a categorical statement from the Congress high command, speculation is likely to continue, especially given the political importance of Karnataka within the party’s broader national strategy. For now, though, the message from the immediate stakeholders—Yatindra Siddaramaiah, chief minister Siddaramaiah, and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar—is aligned: there is no ongoing tussle for the chief minister’s post, and any future decisions will rest entirely with the party’s central leadership.