Karnataka CM change speculation: Surjewala denies power-sharing deal
Synopsis
Congress's Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala flatly denied power-sharing reports on 27 May, insisting the much-discussed high command meeting was about Rajya Sabha candidates — not a CM change. But his careful praise of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and his silence on the resignation rumours, may fuel as much speculation as it settles.
Key Takeaways
Randeep Singh Surjewala denied any power-sharing arrangement in Karnataka Congress on 27 May 2025 .
He confirmed the recent meeting involved Siddaramaiah , Shivakumar , Mallikarjun Kharge , Rahul Gandhi , and K.C.
Venugopal — focused on Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
No Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting has been convened, Surjewala clarified.
Surjewala declined to directly address rumours of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's possible resignation.
Candidate discussions for Rajya Sabha and Council polls are expected to continue for another two days .
Randeep Singh Surjewala, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge, on Wednesday, 27 May firmly denied reports of any power-sharing arrangement within the Congress in Karnataka, asserting that no official discussion on a Chief Minister change had taken place. His remarks came amid mounting speculation over a possible leadership transition in the state.
What Surjewala Said
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Surjewala was unequivocal: 'There is no such thing as a power-sharing arrangement. Yesterday's meeting was held regarding the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and K.C. Venugopal participated in the discussions.'
He dismissed the circulating narratives as baseless conjecture. 'Many people are spreading different stories. As of now, no Congress Legislature Party meeting has been convened. All these are speculative reports,' he clarified. Notably, Surjewala stopped short of directly addressing rumours about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's possible resignation.
Both Leaders Praised, No Favourites Declared
Surjewala was careful to project unity at the top, praising both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in equal measure. He described Siddaramaiah as a leader of considerable political stature who has served as Chief Minister twice, and credited Shivakumar with rising through grassroots organisational work under multiple Chief Ministers.
'Decisions are not taken for individuals but in the interest of Karnataka and its people,' he stated, a formulation that left the door open without confirming or ruling out any future change.
The Real Agenda: Rajya Sabha and Council Elections
According to Surjewala, the high-profile meeting — attended by Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Venugopal, Siddaramaiah, and Shivakumar — was convened to discuss candidate selection for the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, not any leadership reshuffle. He indicated that several names had already been proposed and that consultations with both senior leaders could continue for another two days before a final decision is made.
Context: Why the Speculation Refuses to Die
The Karnataka Congress government, which swept to power in May 2023, has long been shadowed by reports of a power-sharing understanding between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Critics within and outside the party have periodically revived the narrative, particularly as the government crosses the midpoint of its term. Wednesday's denial is the latest in a series of such rebuttals from the party's central leadership. The Congress high command's repeated insistence that decisions will be made 'in the interest of the people' — without a flat-out denial of any future change — has itself kept the speculation alive.
The party's next steps on Rajya Sabha and Council nominations are expected to bring greater clarity on the internal balance of power between the two camps.
Point of View
Silent on what might. The fact that the AICC had to dispatch its Karnataka in-charge to personally rebut power-sharing reports signals the speculation has reached a level the party can no longer ignore. More telling is what Surjewala did not say: he offered no direct denial of Siddaramaiah's possible resignation, and his repeated 'decisions in the interest of the people' framing is precisely the language the high command uses when a change is being considered but not yet finalised. The Karnataka government is past the halfway mark of its term, and the Shivakumar camp's patience is reportedly wearing thin. Wednesday's press conference may have dampened the news cycle briefly, but it has not resolved the underlying tension.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Congress officially decided on a Chief Minister change in Karnataka?
No. AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala stated on 27 May that no Congress Legislature Party meeting has been convened and no official decision on a CM change has been discussed. He described circulating reports as speculative.
What was the purpose of the high-level Congress meeting in Bengaluru?
According to Surjewala, the meeting — attended by Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and K.C. Venugopal — was held to discuss candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, not any leadership reshuffle.
Did Surjewala address rumours of Siddaramaiah's resignation?
Surjewala did not give a direct response to questions about Siddaramaiah's possible resignation. He praised Siddaramaiah as a leader of significant political stature who has served as Chief Minister twice, but stopped short of explicitly ruling out a change.
Who are the key figures at the centre of Karnataka's leadership speculation?
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are the two leaders at the heart of the speculation. Reports have long suggested an informal power-sharing understanding between the two camps, which the Congress high command has repeatedly denied.
When will Congress announce Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council candidates for Karnataka?
Surjewala indicated that discussions could continue for another two days, after which the party leadership will decide on the most suitable candidates for both the Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Council.
