New Delhi/Bengaluru 21 Nov

Amid speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, the Congress said it has sternly warned its leaders and MLAs in the State from making any public statements about the leadership issue.

Blaming the BJP for running a maligning campaign against its Karnataka government, AICC General Secretary in-Charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala said he had a discussion with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over the issue.

"The needless statements of some Congress leaders and MLA’s has also added to the speculation. The Indian National Congress has sternly warned them (leaders and MLAs) from making any public statements on the issue of leadership or falling for the agenda being propagated by the vested interests,” he said on X. "The opinion of various party functionaries has been taken note of by the leadership.”

Surjewala’s comments come after at least 15 MLAs and about a dozen MLCs went to New Delhi to push the party leadership to make Shivakumar the Chief Minister, sources said. They reportedly cited a power sharing agreement.

"Had a discussion with Karnataka CM and Deputy CM and they agreed that a decisively defeated and faction ridden Karnataka BJP, along with a section of the media, are designedly running a maligning campaign against Karnataka and its Congress Government," he said.

Shivakumar said he does not believe in groupism within the party and all 140 MLAs of the Congress are his own and he stands by them.

“I wish Siddaramaiah all the best,” he said.

Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, asserted that he will continue as the Chief Minister and present the next Budget. He said that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge would visit Bengaluru on Saturday.

“Once he comes, I will meet him,” he said.

He also asserted that he will complete a full five-year term in his position, while his Deputy and KPCC President DK Shivakumar said “all the best”.

Siddaramaiah asserted that the High Command has to decide on the leadership change, cabinet reshuffle or government restructuring.

In response, Shivakumar said, "The CM has said he will complete five years. I wish him all the best."

Shivakumar added that he does not believe in factionalism, saying it was “not in his blood”. All 140 MLAs in the State were his, not just his loyalists he said.

Regarding some MLAs camping in Delhi, Shivakumar said, “The CM decided to reshuffle the Cabinet. Everyone wants to become a minister, so it is quite natural for them. It is their right.”

Meanwhile, AHINDA (minorities, backward castes and Dalits) MLAs met Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader. 

Concurrently, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Thursday hosted a dinner where the Ministers and MLAs met.

Though Jarkiholi and Home Minister G Parameshwara said it was just a regular meeting, Shivakumar said that their meeting was to discuss a new Congress President and to have four to five Deputy Chief Ministers.

"All the meetings have been going on for the past two-and-half years. Let them conduct more meetings," Shivakumar said.