Amid Karnataka Leadership Change Buzz, Congress MLA Says 'If Chief Minister Not Changed Now...'

Last Updated:July 01, 2025, 11:22 IST

MLAs close to DK Shivakumar are demanding leadership change in Karnataka and are urging Siddaramaiah to step down as Chief Minister as Shivakumar deserves a chance.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM and KPCC president DK Shivakumar. (PTI)

Amid reports of a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain said that nearly 100 MLAs are backing current Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Stating that Shivakumar deserves a chance, the MLA stated that the Deputy Chief Minister worked tirelessly for the party and played a key role in strengthening the organisation.

The Congress MLA added that he would raise this issue during the meeting with Randeep Surjewala, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who oversees party affairs in Karnataka.

MLA Iqbal Hussain further added that he will talk to Surjewala regarding the Chief Ministerial change issue and stated that if the change doesn’t happen now, then Congress cannot retain power in 2028. “This is needed in the interests of the party right now," he added.

“It’s not just me. Over 100 MLAs are in favour of a change. Many of them are waiting for this moment. They want good governance and believe that DK Shivakumar deserves an opportunity," the Congress MLA was quoted as saying by NDTV.

“He has worked tirelessly for the party and played a key role in strengthening the organisation. Everyone has seen the transformation in the party’s fortunes since he became KPCC President. Because of his efforts, more and more people are expressing their support for him and are ready to stand by his side," he added.

Notably, Surjewala was rushed by the Congress high command to Bengaluru amid the rumblings. He even did one-on-one meetings with state Congress legislators on Monday, amid renewed chatter over possible changes in leadership and internal unease within the ruling party.

Congress MLA On Kharge’s High Command Response

Hussain further responded to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark that only the party high command can take a call on the Chief Minister post, saying, “There is discipline in the Congress. We always respect the high command, but we should tell the facts."

Meanwhile, Surjewala, on the other hand, has called the leadership change speculation as a “figment of imagination".

Siddaramaiah, too, trashed the buzz stating that the Congress government will remain “as solid as a rock" for five years. “This government will be as solid as a ‘bande’ (rock) for five years," the Chief Minister said, with Shivakumar at his side.

When the media asked him about his ties with Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah held his deputy’s hand to show unity and said, “We are on good terms." Further responding to the speculations, he added, “We don’t listen to what others say."

The ongoing theories regarding the change is being considered as the aftereffects of the 2023 election result in which Congress scored a thumping win and Shivakumar was being considered a strong contender for the top post. However, the Congress leadership managed to convince him to settle for the Deputy Chief Minister and Siddaramaiah was trusted for the post of Karnataka Chief Minister by the Congres High Command.

Karnataka, India, India

News politics Amid Karnataka Leadership Change Buzz, Congress MLA Says 'If Chief Minister Not Changed Now...'