Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday firmly dismissed renewed speculation about a leadership tussle within the ruling Congress party, asserting that there was no conflict over the chief minister’s post and accusing the media and opposition of manufacturing controversy where none existed. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the Congress government in Karnataka remained stable and focused on governance, not internal rivalries.

“There is no fight, you create it. Where is the fight? Unnecessarily you ask such questions,” the chief minister said, responding sharply to queries about an alleged power struggle within the party. His remarks were aimed at countering claims circulating on social media and repeated by political opponents, particularly the BJP, that the Congress was headed for another round of infighting over leadership in the state.

Siddaramaiah was reacting to a BJP social media post which claimed that a battle for the Karnataka chief minister’s position within the Congress would resume after the Sankranti festival. The post sought to revive speculation that the party was preparing for a leadership change following the completion of the halfway mark of the government’s five-year term.

The Congress government in Karnataka completed two-and-a-half years in office on November 20, a milestone that has often been associated with leadership changes in coalition or faction-ridden governments in the state’s political history. This timing, combined with past statements and agreements within the Congress leadership, has kept rumours alive about a possible transition at the top.

At the centre of the speculation is the power-sharing understanding reached in 2023 between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, when the Congress returned to power after defeating the BJP in the Assembly elections. At the time, intense negotiations took place to resolve competing claims to the chief minister’s post, with both leaders commanding strong support within the party.

The eventual compromise saw Siddaramaiah take over as chief minister, while DK Shivakumar was appointed deputy chief minister and given key organisational responsibilities. Though the Congress leadership never officially confirmed a rotational or time-bound arrangement, the term “power-sharing pact” became part of the political narrative, fuelling recurring speculation that Shivakumar might assume the top post midway through the term.

These rumours have resurfaced periodically, often triggered by routine political meetings in Delhi or statements by opposition leaders. Each time, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have publicly denied that any leadership change was imminent, stressing their commitment to collective decision-making and discipline within the party.

Siddaramaiah’s latest comments were intended to put an end to what he described as baseless conjecture. According to him, there has been no internal discord and no discussion about replacing the chief minister. He maintained that the government’s priorities lay in implementing its welfare guarantees, managing the state’s finances, and addressing developmental challenges, not in engaging in internal power games.

The chief minister also suggested that the BJP was deliberately attempting to sow confusion within the Congress by amplifying rumours of a split. Since losing power in Karnataka, the BJP has repeatedly accused the Congress of instability and factionalism, often pointing to the supposed rivalry between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar as evidence.

Congress leaders, however, argue that such narratives are politically motivated and designed to distract from the BJP’s own organisational challenges in the state. They point out that despite repeated predictions of collapse or leadership change, the Congress government has completed more than half its term without any disruption.

The issue gained fresh attention in December 2025 when Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. The meeting, which was officially described as routine and organisational in nature, immediately sparked speculation that leadership changes in Karnataka were being discussed at the highest level.

Following that meeting, Shivakumar was quick to deny any such discussions. Speaking to reporters, he said there was “no need” to talk about changing the chief minister and reiterated his commitment to the party’s collective leadership.

“There is no need to do it, I will not do it, there is no such thing for now,” Shivakumar said at the time. “Siddaramaiah and I have said that we will work abiding by the high command’s decision, and we are committed to it.”

Shivakumar also clarified that his meeting with Kharge did not involve any political bargaining or leadership-related issues. According to him, the Congress leadership was focused on strengthening the party organisation and preparing for upcoming elections, not on reshuffling governments in states where the party was already in power.

Mallikarjun Kharge himself has consistently backed the Karnataka leadership, urging party leaders to avoid public statements that could fuel unnecessary speculation. The Congress high command has maintained that stability in state governments is essential, especially as the party seeks to consolidate its position nationally.

Within Karnataka, senior Congress leaders have echoed this line, emphasising unity and discipline. They argue that the government’s focus on welfare schemes, including flagship programmes rolled out after the 2023 election victory, requires continuity in leadership and coordination between the chief minister and his deputy.

Political analysts note that while factionalism has historically been a feature of Karnataka politics, the current Congress leadership appears keen to project a united front. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have often appeared together at public events, signalling cooperation rather than rivalry.

Siddaramaiah’s blunt dismissal of the power struggle narrative reflects a growing impatience within the Congress over repeated questioning on the issue. From the party’s perspective, continued speculation undermines governance and diverts attention from policy initiatives and administrative performance.

At the same time, the persistence of such rumours highlights the enduring perception of dual power centres within the Karnataka Congress. Even in the absence of concrete evidence, the memory of past leadership disputes and informal power-sharing arrangements continues to shape public and media discourse.

For now, both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have drawn a clear line, rejecting any suggestion of an internal fight and reaffirming their loyalty to the party’s collective decisions. Whether this stance will finally put the speculation to rest remains to be seen, but the chief minister’s message on Sunday was unequivocal.

“There is no fight,” Siddaramaiah insisted, making it clear that, at least from his perspective, the Congress government in Karnataka is not distracted by internal power struggles and intends to complete its term with the current leadership intact.