Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived at Indira Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday morning, 26 May, ahead of a high-stakes meeting with the Congress high command over a speculated leadership change in Karnataka. The visit comes after both Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were summoned to the capital by the party's national leadership late Monday night.

When reporters in Delhi asked Shivakumar whether he would be Karnataka's next Chief Minister, he responded with a smile — a gesture that has set off fresh speculation within the party's ranks.

Key Meetings on the Agenda

Siddaramaiah is scheduled to meet All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge as well as General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala at the party office. A separate meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also reportedly lined up for later in the day.

Before proceeding to Indira Bhavan, Siddaramaiah had breakfast at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi, accompanied by Ministers G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, Byrathi Suresh, K.J. George, and M.B. Patil, along with senior Congress leader and Haryana in-charge B.K. Hariprasad and legal adviser Ponnanna.

What Ministers Are Saying

PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi acknowledged the prevailing uncertainty, saying, 'There has been confusion in the party for the past six months, and we are confident that it will be cleared soon. We have not received any call from the high command, and we have come along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The discussions have not started yet. Once the meeting is over, we will see how the discussions take shape.'

Jarkiholi also noted that the party would consider the KPCC President post as part of broader discussions, adding: 'The party is facing many issues, and if the leadership issue is settled, everything else will get settled automatically.' He confirmed that the party would abide by whatever decision the high command takes.

Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad offered a cautiously optimistic note, stating, 'There is no discussion on leadership change. However, everything has now reached a final stage.'

Energy Minister K.J. George deflected questions about internal party matters, saying, 'I do not speak about party matters. I have no authority to comment on party affairs. As far as I know, there is no confusion in the party. Everyone comes to Delhi because it is the power centre.'

The Camps Watching Closely

Both Siddaramaiah's and Shivakumar's respective camps are closely tracking the day's developments. Industries Minister M.B. Patil, a close associate of Siddaramaiah, declined to speculate on the outcome or on the possibility of a leadership change, saying he could not speak to what was in Rahul Gandhi's mind.

This comes amid months of simmering tension within Karnataka's ruling Congress, with questions over the fulfilment of a reported power-sharing arrangement between the two leaders remaining unresolved. Notably, the Congress high command has so far avoided making any public statement on the matter.

What Happens Next

The outcome of Tuesday's meetings is expected to determine whether Karnataka sees a mid-term leadership transition or a continuation of the current arrangement. All eyes remain on the Congress high command as both leaders await a final word from the party's top brass.