Congress Leadership Tussle: Karnataka MLAs Head to Delhi Amid CM Post Speculation

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A group of Karnataka MLAs, loyal to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, has flown to New Delhi, fuelling speculation about a possible change in the state's leadership. This comes as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completes two and a half years in his latest term. Senior party members, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, Legislators Iqbal Hussain, H C Balakrishna, and S R Srinivas were part of the delegation. They are expected to meet with top party leaders in Delhi. The move follows a recent meeting between Congress MLCs and party general secretaries. Former MP DK Suresh, Shivakumar's brother, said the CM would keep his word, citing the government's fulfilled commitments at the halfway mark. Talk of a leadership shift has persisted since the Congress won the state election in May 2023. Earlier, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were chosen as CM and Deputy CM, respectively, with some speculating about a rotational formula. However, the party has never confirmed such an arrangement. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly dismissed the suggestion, insisting he will serve a full five-year term. Shivakumar has publicly echoed this position, while some of his supporters continue to push for him to lead the government. In July, Hussain claimed that 100 MLAs would support Shivakumar if the question arose. Shivakumar responded, saying he didn't want any MLAs to back him. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah attributed the speculation to 'media creation,' stating that the government has a five-year mandate. The CM also addressed a superstitious claim that leaders lose power after visiting Chamarajanagar, saying he deliberately travelled there and his position has only strengthened.