Karnataka Power Shift Soon? Kharge's Meet With Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar Fuels Buzz

Karnataka Power Shift Soon? Kharge's Meet With Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar Fuels Buzz Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 12:00 IST Sources within the party said discussions during the gathering focused on political developments in the state and continuing speculation surrounding the chief minister’s post. The power-sharing issue intensified after the Congress government completed its halfway mark in November last year. (File photo) Karnataka Power Shift Buzz: Fresh speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka resurfaced after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held closed-door discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru, news agency PTI reported, citing party sources. As per sources, Kharge, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar travelled together from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru on Monday after attending the swearing-in ceremony of the new Congress government in Kerala. Soon after landing, the leaders reportedly met at the residence of Karnataka Energy Minister K J George for an informal lunch meeting that lasted around 45 minutes. Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa, Chief Whip Ashok M Pattan, CM’s legal advisor and MLA AS Ponnanna, and Shantinagar MLA NA Haris were also present. After the meeting, Shivakumar left for Tirupati. The meeting has triggered fresh political buzz amid long-running speculation over a power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar since the Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023. Sources within the party said discussions during the gathering focused on recent political developments in the state and continuing speculation surrounding the chief minister’s post. The timing of the meeting is politically significant, with the Siddaramaiah government approaching the halfway mark of its five-year term, a phase that has repeatedly fuelled discussions over whether the Congress high command may eventually revisit leadership equations or consider a cabinet reshuffle. Madhugiri Congress MLA K N Rajanna hinted that leadership discussions may have taken place informally. “Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were there in Kerala. Why would discussions not have taken place there itself," he said. While Congress leaders have publicly dismissed reports of an imminent leadership change, supporters of Shivakumar have continued to push the “Next CM" campaign in recent months. Shivakumar, however, has maintained that both he and Siddaramaiah would abide by the decision of the party high command. The political activity intensified further on Tuesday morning when leaders considered close to Siddaramaiah held a breakfast meeting at the residence of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi before leaving for a Congress convention in Tumakuru. Sources said discussions also touched upon the possibility of Home Minister G Parameshwara emerging as a consensus candidate if the party leadership eventually decides on a change. Political observers, however, believe that floating Parameshwara’s name could also be a strategic move by the Siddaramaiah camp to counter Shivakumar’s ambitions while pressing the high command for a long-pending cabinet reshuffle. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 20, 2026, 12:00 IST News india Karnataka Power Shift Soon? Kharge's Meet With Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar Fuels Buzz Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...