Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar to visit Delhi amid speculation over leadership

New Delhi, Jan 16: Amid ongoing speculation and a power tussle within the Karnataka Congress over the Chief Minister's position, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is scheduled to arrive in Delhi today. His visit has sparked discussions in political circles about possible changes in the state’s leadership.

Shivakumar, responding to queries on Wednesday, confirmed his travel plans, stating, "On 16th January, I will be going to Delhi," though he refrained from elaborating on the agenda of his visit.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding the arrival of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the national capital. Earlier, Siddaramaiah had clarified that any decision on leadership or governance in the state would be made by the Congress high command and would be final.

Shivakumar also addressed questions about his recent interactions with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, insisting that there were no discussions regarding a potential change in the Chief Ministership. He explained that the meetings held during Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state were routine and in line with established protocol. "I am Karnataka's Congress President, and he (Rahul Gandhi) is the Leader of the Opposition. These meetings and talks are as per protocol; all this cannot be discussed in public... There are no such discussions (CM change). Rahul Gandhi has asked us to continue the good work, and we will work accordingly," Shivakumar said.

The Deputy CM further stated that the discussions during the visit had focused on developmental issues, including the progress of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the political scenario in Karnataka. "We also spoke about what kind of progress is taking place as far as NREGA is concerned. We also discussed the BJP politics in the state," he added.

Shivakumar’s visit comes at a time when speculation about a leadership change has gained momentum. The Karnataka Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025, intensifying discussions on power-sharing arrangements within the party. This has led to an internal power struggle involving key figures such as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, and Home Minister G Parameshwara.

Despite the growing speculation, senior Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah and G Parameshwara, have repeatedly stated that any decision on the Chief Ministership rests solely with the party's high command. They have dismissed media reports of internal discord, calling them speculative and unfounded.