Siddaramaiah will quit if Rahul Gandhi asks, says K'taka Congress MLA Rajanna
Synopsis
Karnataka's leadership crisis has taken a dramatic turn — a close Siddaramaiah ally has publicly stated the Chief Minister will quit if Rahul Gandhi says so. With Dalit ministers flying to Delhi and a Dalit CM demand growing louder, the Congress high command faces a pivotal choice that could reshape Karnataka politics well before the 2026 elections.
Key Takeaways
Rajanna , a close Siddaramaiah ally, said on 28 April that the CM will step down if Rahul Gandhi directs him to.
Siddaramaiah has conveyed an open-minded stance but expects party cooperation on any decision.
Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and H.C.
Mahadevappa travelled to New Delhi to press the high command for clarity.
Rajanna reiterated his support for a Dalit Chief Minister , citing dissatisfaction among AHINDA communities.
Karnataka's next assembly election is approximately two years away , with Rajanna urging against hasty decisions.
Amid a deepening leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress, former state Minister and Congress MLA K.N. Rajanna on Tuesday, 28 April declared that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is prepared to step down if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi directs him to do so. The statement, made in Bengaluru, carries particular weight given that Rajanna is widely regarded as a close associate of the Chief Minister.
What Rajanna Said
Speaking to reporters, Rajanna acknowledged that there is growing confusion within the party over a possible leadership change in Karnataka. He said Siddaramaiah is willing to continue in office but would equally comply with any directive from the party high command. "Power is not permanent. Those who lose it can regain it," he said, characterising the Chief Minister's stance as one of full compliance with the Congress leadership.
Rajanna added that Siddaramaiah has already conveyed an open-minded position on the matter and expects cooperation from fellow party members. He stressed that resolving the uncertainty quickly would benefit both the party and the people of Karnataka, and urged the high command not to let the confusion linger.
Delhi Push by Siddaramaiah's Allies
The statement comes as two of Siddaramaiah's close cabinet allies — Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and H.C. Mahadevappa, both from the Dalit community — have travelled to New Delhi to press the party high command for clarity on the leadership question. Their intervention signals that the uncertainty is no longer confined to Bengaluru corridors and has escalated to the national party leadership.
The Dalit CM Demand and AHINDA Factor
Rajanna also reiterated his personal stand in favour of a Dalit Chief Minister, arguing that communities grouped under the AHINDA umbrella — minorities, backward classes, and Dalits — are not fully satisfied with the current political arrangements. He drew a pointed contrast between Siddaramaiah's earlier tenure from 2013 to 2018 and the ongoing term from 2023 to 2026, suggesting the two periods differ significantly in character and political impact.
What Happens Next
With Karnataka's next assembly election roughly two years away, Rajanna cautioned against hasty decisions, noting that political equations can shift dramatically over such a timeframe. He confirmed that several leaders, including himself, have already communicated to the high command their preference for Siddaramaiah to continue as Chief Minister. The final call, however, reportedly rests with Rahul Gandhi and the Congress central leadership. How quickly the high command moves — and in which direction — is expected to set the tone for Karnataka politics through 2026.
Point of View
The contrast Rajanna draws between the 2013–18 and 2023–26 Siddaramaiah terms is a quiet admission that the current government has not matched the earlier one's political capital. The Congress faces a classic high command dilemma: change the CM and risk mid-term instability, or hold course and watch factional noise erode its 2026 prospects.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah actually stepping down?
Not yet. Congress MLA K.N. Rajanna has stated that Siddaramaiah is willing to step down if Rahul Gandhi directs him to, but no such directive has been issued as of 28 April. Siddaramaiah is currently still in office.
Why is there a leadership tussle in Karnataka Congress?
Factional pressures within the Karnataka Congress have fuelled speculation about a mid-term Chief Minister change, with some leaders pushing for a Dalit CM under the AHINDA political framework. The confusion has persisted long enough for Siddaramaiah's own allies to travel to Delhi seeking clarity.
Who is K.N. Rajanna and why does his statement matter?
K.N. Rajanna is a former Karnataka Minister and sitting Congress MLA who is widely regarded as a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. His public declaration that Siddaramaiah would comply with Rahul Gandhi's direction is significant precisely because it comes from within the CM's own camp.
What is the AHINDA demand for a Dalit Chief Minister?
AHINDA is a political grouping of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits in Karnataka. Rajanna and some other leaders have argued that these communities are not fully satisfied and that a Dalit Chief Minister would better represent their interests.
When is the next Karnataka assembly election?
The next Karnataka assembly election is due in approximately two years. Rajanna cautioned that any leadership decision should not be rushed given the time available and the fluid nature of Karnataka politics.
