Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, 27 May deferred all questions about a possible leadership change in the state, telling reporters he would address the matter in detail on Thursday following his recent visit to Delhi and meetings with the Congress high command. The deferral has intensified speculation that a change of guard in Bengaluru may be imminent.

What Siddaramaiah Said

Speaking to reporters after attending a tribute event marking the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Siddaramaiah sidestepped direct questions about his continuation as Chief Minister. When pressed on his Delhi discussions, he said simply, 'I will speak later,' and confirmed, 'I will speak about everything tomorrow.'

At the event itself, Siddaramaiah paid homage to Nehru, noting that the country's first Prime Minister had 'served for 17 years' and 'played a major role in building modern India.'

Congress Voices: Support and Signals

Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa, one of the senior-most Congress leaders from the Dalit community in the state, backed Siddaramaiah's standing while acknowledging the uncertainty. 'Siddaramaiah is a mass leader, and everyone has to acknowledge that. He has called a breakfast meeting tomorrow, and all confusion surrounding the leadership issue will be cleared,' Muniyappa said. When asked if he would push for a Dalit Chief Minister in the event of a change, Muniyappa described himself as 'a disciplined soldier of the party' who would 'abide by the decision of the high command.'

Congress MLA from Magadi, H.C. Balakrishna, was more explicit in his preference, reiterating his demand that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar be elevated. 'I have demanded the Chief Minister's post for Shivakumar, and I stand by my statement. Without the blessings of Siddaramaiah and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, nobody can become Chief Minister,' Balakrishna said.

Adding further fuel to the speculation, Congress MLA H.D. Thammaiah, speaking from Chikkamagaluru, claimed he had received information that Siddaramaiah had sought an appointment with the Governor on Thursday — a move widely read as a precursor to a possible resignation.

BJP Seizes on the Uncertainty

The opposition was quick to capitalise on the visible Congress disarray. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, predicted the outcome with confidence. 'At last, the elephant has delivered. Shivakumar will become the Chief Minister after all the demands and pressure. Nothing good is going to happen for the state,' he said, adding that the BJP expected to return to power in Karnataka in 2028.

BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra went further, alleging that the Congress high command had effectively conceded the Karnataka government's failure. 'After marathon meetings in Delhi, the high command has decided to seek Siddaramaiah's resignation,' Vijayendra alleged, claiming a resignation could come 'either on Thursday or the following day.' He also charged that Siddaramaiah had 'pushed the state into huge debt by taking loans amounting to nearly ₹10 lakh crore.'

What Remains Unresolved

Despite the swirl of claims and counter-claims, the Congress high command had made no official announcement regarding a leadership change in Karnataka as of Wednesday evening. The breakfast meeting called by Siddaramaiah for Thursday is now the focal point for all sides, with party legislators, political observers, and the media watching closely for any definitive signal from the leadership. Whether Thursday brings a resignation, a reaffirmation, or another deferral remains to be seen.