Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar declared that a definitive decision regarding the state’s leadership has been finalised in consultation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress party’s central "high command."

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar sought to quell intensifying rumours of "secret deals" or backroom arrangements, asserting that the details of the transition would be made public at the "right time." The remarks come as the ruling Congress government approaches its 1,000th day in office, a milestone that has reignited questions regarding a rumoured power-sharing pact established after the party's 2023 electoral victory.

Unified Decision and High Command

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that the path forward for the administration is not a private matter between two individuals but a collective agreement involving the highest levels of the party.

Shivakumar stated that he, the Chief Minister, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have all taken this decision together. He noted that Siddaramaiah himself had previously addressed the matter and would be the one to announce the specifics when the timing is appropriate. The statement is seen by analysts as a signal to party workers that a timeline for a leadership handover may have already been codified in New Delhi.

Legislator Tours and Internal Friction

The leadership buzz coincides with a controversial overseas trip involving a large contingent of Congress legislators to Australia and New Zealand.

Opposition leaders and some political observers have characterised the tour as a strategic move by the Chief Minister’s camp to prevent a show of strength by Shivakumar’s supporters before the upcoming state budget session. Shivakumar downplayed these allegations, claiming he would not interfere in the personal travel of party members, even as reports suggest the party’s central leadership had expressed reservations about the timing of the trip.

Milestones and the Budget Session

The internal jockeying for power comes at a critical juncture for the state's governance.

  • February 20, 2026: The government marks 1,000 days in power since the May 2023 swearing-in.
  • March 6, 2026: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to present the state budget, a record 17th for the veteran leader.
  • Handover Speculation: Sources within the party suggest that any formal transition of power is unlikely to occur until after the conclusion of the budget session, allowing the current administration to finalise its fiscal priorities for the year.

While Shivakumar urged patience among his supporters and the media, the visible lack of communication between the two leaders at recent public functions has fueled speculation that the "right time" for an announcement may be imminent.

With inputs from PTI