Siddaramaiah Confirms Full Five-Year Tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister, Quashes Power-Sharing Rumours
Chikkaballapura, Karnataka | July 2, 2025 – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly stated that he will continue as the Chief Minister for the full five-year term, putting an end to months of speculation about a possible leadership change within the ruling Congress government.
Speaking to reporters during an interaction, Siddaramaiah responded confidently when asked whether he will serve as CM for the entire term:
“Yes, I will be. Why do you have the doubt?”
This emphatic declaration comes amid recurring rumors of a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, which allegedly involved Shivakumar taking over as Chief Minister midway through the government’s tenure.
🔎 Background: Power-Sharing Rumors
Since the Congress’s resounding victory in the May 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, there has been considerable media and political chatter about a supposed “rotational chief ministership” formula, wherein D.K. Shivakumar would take over the CM’s chair after 2.5 years. Although these reports gained traction, the Congress party never officially confirmed such an agreement.
In his statement, Siddaramaiah dismissed these claims, subtly indicating that they were being fueled by opposition leaders and external sources rather than from within the Congress leadership.
🗣️ Shivakumar Stands With Siddaramaiah
Supporting Siddaramaiah’s assertion, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on July 1 that there were no internal discussions on leadership change. He emphasized party unity and strengthening the current Congress government in Karnataka.
“There is no discussion about any change in leadership. Our focus is on governance, not speculation. I stand by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,” Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar’s statement appears to be an effort to project stability and unity in the party, especially as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) leaders continue to raise questions over the government’s leadership structure.
🗨️ Siddaramaiah Criticizes BJP Speculation
When questioned about opposition leaders claiming he might be replaced, Siddaramaiah responded sharply:
“Are they our high command? R. Ashoka, B.Y. Vijayendra, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy are all BJP men. Should I take their words seriously?”
He urged journalists and the public to focus on verified information and not unsubstantiated political gossip.
🔧 Inside the Congress Camp
While early reports in 2023 highlighted intense competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the top post, the party managed to reach an understanding by appointing Siddaramaiah as CM and Shivakumar as Deputy CM.
Since then, both leaders have worked publicly in tandem, sharing the spotlight at key governance events and addressing issues collaboratively. However, whispers of internal ambitions have never fully died down—making Siddaramaiah’s strong and public clarification especially timely.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Siddaramaiah confirms he will serve full five-year term as Karnataka CM.
- DK Shivakumar backs Siddaramaiah, denies any rift or power tussle.
- Rumors of a rotational CM model remain unconfirmed by the Congress.
- BJP and JD(S) claims about leadership change dismissed by Siddaramaiah as baseless political propaganda.
🧠 Why It Matters
With the 2026 Lok Sabha elections looming on the horizon, Congress is focusing on consolidating its governance and public perception in Karnataka—one of the few large states it governs. Maintaining leadership clarity is crucial to projecting political stability and silencing opposition narratives that aim to exploit any perceived cracks within the government.
By reaffirming his position, Siddaramaiah not only asserts control but also attempts to shift the public conversation toward governance performance rather than leadership speculation.
