Karnataka: Ruling Congress party continues to speculate about a change of Chief Minister, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying he will complete his five-year term, while Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar said he cannot hold the post forever.

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There is constant speculation within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka about a possible Chief Ministerial appointment. Both sides are making their own claims. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also consistently maintained that he will complete his full five-year term. Hinting at his intention to remain in office, he announced that he will present his record 17th budget next year. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar stated that he cannot hold a position forever.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the state finance portfolio, presented his 16th budget in March this year. He said, “When I first became Finance Minister, a newspaper wrote, ‘This Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba) can’t even count 100 sheep, how will he function as Karnataka’s Finance Minister?’ But I accepted it as a challenge. I have presented 16 budgets so far. And after this, I will present the 17th budget next year.” His address received thunderous applause.

Rhetoric Amid CM Change
The Karnataka budget for 2026-27 is expected to be presented in March next year, and preparations have already begun. The Chief Minister’s comments come at a time when speculation is rife about a change of Chief Minister in the state. The state’s Congress government will complete 2.5 years of its five-year term in November, marking what some are calling a “November Revolution.”

Following the results of the Karnataka Assembly elections in May 2023, there was a fierce competition between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s post. After a lengthy negotiation, the Congress high command managed to persuade Shivakumar to become Deputy Chief Minister.

Media reports then claimed that the two leaders had reached an agreement based on a “rotational chief minister formula,” under which Siddaramaiah would first serve as Chief Minister for two and a half years, followed by Shivakumar after two and a half years. However, the party never stated anything about this formula.

I will remain on the front lines as well: Shivakumar
On the other hand, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also attempted to send a strong message without naming anyone. During an event on Wednesday, he suggested resigning as the party’s state chief, saying, “I cannot hold this position permanently.”

According to news agency PTI, Shivakumar said that he had served as state chief for more than five years and suggested that others should be given a chance. He said, “Whether I remain or not does not matter. But I want to establish at least 100 party offices during my time.”

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who was appointed state Congress chief in May 2020, said, “I can’t hold this post forever. It’s already been 5.5 years, and it will be six in March. Now others should be given a chance, but I will remain in the leadership. Don’t worry, I will remain on the front lines.”