Karnataka politics took a dramatic turn on Thursday morning as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hosted a breakfast meeting for his Cabinet colleagues at his official residence in Bengaluru amid growing speculation that he may soon step down from the top post. What was initially seen as a routine political gathering quickly became the centre of intense discussion across the state, with supporters, party workers, and political observers closely watching every development.
The atmosphere outside Siddaramaiah’s residence reflected the uncertainty within the ruling Congress party. Hundreds of his supporters gathered early in the day, raising slogans in his favour and urging him not to resign. Many of them appeared emotional, saying the veteran leader still enjoys massive support among backward classes, minorities, and Dalits across Karnataka. Some supporters even warned the party leadership against removing him at a time when the government is still trying to strengthen its position in the state.
Inside the residence, however, the mood was more political than emotional. Senior ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, attended the breakfast meeting, which lasted for a significant period and immediately triggered fresh speculation about an imminent leadership change in Karnataka. Though no official statement was made after the meeting, political circles in Bengaluru remained convinced that crucial decisions regarding the future of the government were being discussed behind closed doors.
For months, rumours of a leadership transition have been circulating within Karnataka Congress. Ever since the Congress returned to power in 2023 with a comfortable majority, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have remained the two most powerful faces of the party in the state. Both leaders had strongly pushed for the Chief Minister’s post after the Assembly election victory, creating one of the toughest internal balancing acts for the Congress high command in recent years.
At the time, the party leadership managed to calm tensions by appointing Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister while giving Shivakumar the role of Deputy Chief Minister along with significant organisational control as Karnataka Congress president. However, reports of a “rotational chief minister formula” never fully disappeared from political discussions. Though the Congress never publicly confirmed such an arrangement, party insiders repeatedly hinted that Shivakumar could take charge after the government completed half of its term.
Now, after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year tenure in November last year, those discussions have returned with full force. The sudden political activity in Delhi earlier this week added even more weight to the rumours. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were both called to the national capital, where they reportedly attended multiple meetings with Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, K C Venugopal, and Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Sources within the party claim the Congress high command has been exploring a smooth transition plan to avoid any major internal conflict. According to reports, Siddaramaiah was even offered a larger organisational role at the national level along with a possible Rajya Sabha position. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding such an offer, and people close to the Chief Minister insist that no final decision has been made yet.
Interestingly, Siddaramaiah himself had earlier said publicly that he would step down if Rahul Gandhi personally asked him to do so. That statement has now become central to the current political conversation in Karnataka. Many Congress leaders believe the high command is attempting to honour commitments made during government formation while also ensuring that both camps within the party remain united ahead of future elections.
While the Congress leadership has maintained silence publicly, the reactions from supporters of both leaders have exposed the growing divide on the ground. Shivakumar supporters celebrated in several districts on Wednesday night after reports emerged that he was likely to become the next Chief Minister. In Bengaluru and Ramanagara, party workers distributed sweets, burst crackers, and carried posters welcoming him as the future leader of Karnataka.
On the other side, Siddaramaiah loyalists openly questioned the timing of any leadership change. Several backward class organisations warned the Congress leadership against replacing him, arguing that Siddaramaiah remains the party’s strongest mass leader in Karnataka. Leaders from the Karnataka State Federation of Backward Class Communities said the Congress came to power because of Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA support base — a coalition of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits that has shaped Karnataka politics for years.
The organisation also warned that removing him could create dissatisfaction among core voters and damage the party politically. Some leaders even threatened protests if Siddaramaiah was forced to resign before completing his full term.
Adding another layer to the political suspense, reports suggested Siddaramaiah was expected to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot later in the day. However, Raj Bhavan sources later confirmed that the Governor had travelled to Indore for personal reasons and was not in Bengaluru. The development further delayed clarity on whether the Chief Minister was actually preparing to submit his resignation.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders officially continued to deny that any final decision had been taken. Randeep Singh Surjewala, who arrived in Bengaluru on Wednesday, urged the media not to speculate about the issue. He clarified that no meeting of the Congress Legislature Party had been called and insisted that discussions about leadership change were premature.
Despite these public denials, the political atmosphere in Karnataka remains charged. Every statement from Congress leaders is being closely analysed, while party workers from both camps continue to push their narratives on social media and through public gatherings.
Political analysts believe the Congress leadership faces a delicate challenge. A smooth transition to Shivakumar could help the party honour internal commitments and maintain unity among influential leaders. However, any move perceived as sidelining Siddaramaiah could create unrest within sections of the party and among key social groups that strongly support him.
For now, Karnataka remains in wait-and-watch mode. Siddaramaiah has not announced any decision publicly, and the Congress leadership is carefully managing the situation to avoid internal damage. But one thing is certain — the events unfolding in Bengaluru are likely to shape the future of Karnataka politics for years to come.