Bengaluru: Amid intense speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, reports suggesting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has proposed a formula involving four deputy chief ministers to facilitate Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s elevation have added a new twist to the Congress power tussle in the state.

The reported proposal, aimed at accommodating leaders from key caste and community groups, is said to have triggered discomfort within Shivakumar’s camp, with local media reports linking the Deputy Chief Minister’s visibly sombre mood and irritation with reporters to the ongoing negotiations.

According to reports, Siddaramaiah has sought deputy chief minister posts for some of his close confidants as part of a broader power-sharing arrangement before stepping down. The move is being seen as an attempt to retain influence within the government and protect the Congress party’s AHINDA social coalition of minorities, backward classes and Dalits.

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Among the names doing the rounds for possible deputy chief minister posts is Siddaramaiah’s son Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who is currently an MLC. Reports suggest he is almost certain to be inducted into the cabinet and could also be elevated as Deputy CM to help retain the party’s backward classes vote base.

Senior Congress leader M B Patil, a powerful Lingayat face from North Karnataka and a close Siddaramaiah confidant, is also being discussed as a possible choice. Eshwar Khandre, another influential Lingayat leader from the region, is also among the names under consideration.

As demands grow for greater Scheduled Caste representation in the state leadership, senior leader Dr G Parameshwar and Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, are also being viewed as potential contenders for deputy chief minister positions.

Reports further suggest that Congress may consider giving representation to the Muslim community by appointing either Zameer Ahmed or Assembly Speaker U T Khader as Deputy CM.

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The developments come amid strong indications that Siddaramaiah may step down as Chief Minister after reportedly being asked by the Congress high command to make way for Shivakumar. The veteran leader is expected to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, fuelling speculation that he could tender his resignation.

However, AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala attempted to cool speculation, saying the Congress had not called a legislature party meeting and that “no other decision has been taken yet.”

“The Legislature Party selects its leader,” Surjewala said, while urging the media not to speculate.

Siddaramaiah, who met Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, K C Venugopal and Surjewala in Delhi on Tuesday, remained tight-lipped on the issue and said he would speak on the matter later.

Senior Congress MLA R V Deshpande claimed Siddaramaiah had informed him of his decision to resign.

According to Deshpande, when some MLAs urged him not to quit, Siddaramaiah reportedly said he had “given his word to the high command” and would honour it.

Meanwhile, supporters of Shivakumar celebrated in several parts of Karnataka amid reports that he was set to become the next Chief Minister, while Siddaramaiah supporters gathered outside his residence protesting against his possible exit.

The leadership struggle within the Congress has intensified since the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term, reviving discussions around the long-rumoured “rotational chief minister formula” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar after the party’s 2023 Assembly election victory.