Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar NEW DELHI: The ongoing tension over the Karnataka chief minister’s post resurfaced on Tuesday after DK Shivakumar’s brother said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.Former MP DK Suresh described Shivakumar as a committed party functionary and said the Congress leadership, including Gandhi, had asked him to exercise restraint while assuring him that the matter would be resolved in due course. ‘We Are United…Will Go To Delhi If High Command Calls’: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar After Meeting “The party has already asked him to be patient. Rahul Gandhi, during the meeting in Mysuru, also said that an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time,” news agency PTI reported him as saying.He also said that Shivakumar’s approach was guided by the need to keep all 140 Congress legislators together and maintain stability in the government. Emphasising that political authority requires perseverance, he added, “In the interest of the party and legislators, and with the goal of keeping all 140 legislators together, he is patiently waiting for the party’s decision.”With an eye on the 2028 assembly elections, Suresh also stressed that unity within the Congress would be critical. “He is also the party president and should maintain discipline first, which he is following diligently,” he said refering to Shivakumar.The leadership churn in Karnataka intensified after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation centres on a reported power-sharing understanding between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023. Shivakumar has previously said discussions on the issue were held with the Congress high command and that while a decision had been taken, its timing is yet to be finalised.Suresh indicated that the upcoming legislative session, scheduled from January 22 to 31, could be a reference point, after which the party leadership’s stand may become clearer. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said he would travel to New Delhi if called by the Congress high command to discuss the leadership issue. He reiterated that any such engagement would depend on a formal summons from the party leadership. “I will go if I am called by the Congress high command,” he said.Siddaramaiah also sought to shift focus to governance, noting that the joint session of the state legislature would be held from January 22 to 31, alongside a special session on MGNREGA. He said preparations for the 2026–27 state budget would begin after the session, with official ANI sources indicating that the budget is likely to be presented in March. Siddaramaiah had previously said he intends to present his 17th state budget next year, adding to his record as finance minister.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFrom Karyakarta To Party President: Nitin Nabin Becomes BJP’s Youngest-Ever ChiefYunus Government Takes Chinese Envoy Near Teesta, Rekindling Fears Over India’s Chicken’s NeckNationalism, Sanatan, Demographic Change: Nitin Nabin Draws Red Line In First Speech As BJP ChiefNew Global Index Puts India Ahead Of US And China, Shifting Debate From Power To ResponsibilityPM Modi Signals Generational Shift As Nitin Nabin Becomes New BJP President, Calls Him His BossOp Sindoor On Kartavya Path: IAF To Showcase How India Fights Modern Wars During R-Day ParadeDefence, Nuclear & Trade Push: Inside UAE Prez’s Short 3-Hour Trip To India, Meet With PM ModiPakistan Pushes To Broaden Saudi Defence Ties Into Wider Islamic World Security Alliance Like NATOBoost For India’s Defence Exports: Rajnath Flags Off First Batch Of Pinaka Guided Rockets To Armenia’MOUs Close To 1L Cr’: Himanta Biswa Sarma Seeks Investment As Assam Makes Davos Debut123Photostories‘Sheila Ki Jawani’, ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’, ‘Baby Doll’: Bollywood item songs that broke the internet with their zany lyricsRanbir Kapoor’s ‘Badtameez Dil’ to Nora Fatehi’s ‘Dilbar’: Iconic dance steps from Bollywood songs everyone still tries to copyFrom Mrunal Thakur’s ‘Do Deewane Sehar Mein’ to Preity Zinta’s ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’: Meet Bollywood’s queens who won hearts with geeky looksFrom Smriti Irani to Amar Upadhyay: How much the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi star cast earns per episode12 traditional dishes that are must-try in KochiTop shows to binge-watch this week on Prime VideosKobe Bryant’s inspirational quotes for childrenAncient Devi Mantras According to Your Birth DateTamil Nadu temples get a lift: Preserving history, beating floodsHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Mushroom Galouti Kebabs for evening snacking123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordJEE Main 2026Oskar Sundqvist InjuryAndrew CallaghanAtlanta Braves RumorsRoger FedererKlay ThomponJohn Harbaughs WifeBengaluru WeatherDC Robert Saleh
NEW DELHI: The ongoing tension over the Karnataka chief minister’s post resurfaced on Tuesday after DK Shivakumar’s brother said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.Former MP DK Suresh described Shivakumar as a committed party functionary and said the Congress leadership, including Gandhi, had asked him to exercise restraint while assuring him that the matter would be resolved in due course.
“The party has already asked him to be patient. Rahul Gandhi, during the meeting in Mysuru, also said that an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time,” news agency PTI reported him as saying.He also said that Shivakumar’s approach was guided by the need to keep all 140 Congress legislators together and maintain stability in the government. Emphasising that political authority requires perseverance, he added, “In the interest of the party and legislators, and with the goal of keeping all 140 legislators together, he is patiently waiting for the party’s decision.”With an eye on the 2028 assembly elections, Suresh also stressed that unity within the Congress would be critical. “He is also the party president and should maintain discipline first, which he is following diligently,” he said refering to Shivakumar.The leadership churn in Karnataka intensified after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation centres on a reported power-sharing understanding between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023. Shivakumar has previously said discussions on the issue were held with the Congress high command and that while a decision had been taken, its timing is yet to be finalised.Suresh indicated that the upcoming legislative session, scheduled from January 22 to 31, could be a reference point, after which the party leadership’s stand may become clearer. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said he would travel to New Delhi if called by the Congress high command to discuss the leadership issue. He reiterated that any such engagement would depend on a formal summons from the party leadership. “I will go if I am called by the Congress high command,” he said.Siddaramaiah also sought to shift focus to governance, noting that the joint session of the state legislature would be held from January 22 to 31, alongside a special session on MGNREGA. He said preparations for the 2026–27 state budget would begin after the session, with official ANI sources indicating that the budget is likely to be presented in March. Siddaramaiah had previously said he intends to present his 17th state budget next year, adding to his record as finance minister.
