Yathindra Siddaramaiah (L), D K Shivakumar (R) NEW DELHI: Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday said he believed there would be no change in Karnataka’s leadership and that his father Siddaramaiah was likely to remain chief minister for the full five-year term.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Yathindra said the party high command had given a clear signal, even if not publicly, that there will be no leadership change. He said the issue was settled and that no one in the party had said Siddaramaiah should be removed.“According to me, the high command might not have said it openly, but have given a clear signal that there will not be any leadership change. So I believe that Siddaramaiah will be the CM for five years,” he said.Yathindra also said that apart from media discussions, the leadership change issue was not being discussed in political circles. He added that the government should focus on other matters, including the upcoming budget and the state’s financial situation. Shivakumar’s sarcastic responseDeputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, who is also seen as a contender for the chief minister’s post, responded sarcastically to Yathindra’s remarks. “Yathindra is our high command, and let’s accept what he says very respectfully,” Shivakumar told reporters in Mangaluru. He added that if anyone had to clarify the issue, it would be the party’s central leadership in Delhi.What’s the controversyThe leadership issue had gained attention after the Congress government completed half of its five-year term in November 2025. There has been speculation about a possible power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the government was formed 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.Last month, DK Shivakumar’s brother had said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.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 MediaVideosNorway PM Questions World War II-Era UNSC, Echoes India’s Demand For Reform And Global South VoiceAs Bangladesh Elections Near, Hindu Minority Faces Rising Attacks, Islamist Return And State SilenceBeyond Tariffs: The India–US Deal and the Politics of OilIndia To Push For Tech Defence And Zakir Naik Extradition During PM Modi’s High Stakes Malaysia TripAAP Leader Lucky Oberoi Shot Dead Outside Gurdwara In Jalandhar, Raising Fresh Law Order FearsCricket Nationalism for Cameras, Dollars Dictate Reality? Why Pak Courted Ex-World Bank Chief BangaHAL Clarifies AMCA Status, Says It Will Bid For India’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet In 2035 PhaseAfter India Breaks Trump’s Tariff Wall, Bangladesh Moves Fast On A Hidden US Pact Under Interim RuleIndia’s Strategic Autonomy On Test As Russian Oil Imports Fall To Lowest Since Feb 2025 Amid US Push’Casebook Study Of How To Deal With Trump’: Former Envoy On India’s Restraint Amid US Provocations123PhotostoriesPrince Narula, Tejasswi Prakash, and more: Can you guess these reality TV stars from their childhood picsValentine’s Week Full List 2026: Rose Day to Kiss Day, here is the complete list of Valentine Week 2026The mystery behind Leonardo da Vinci’s lost masterpieces and what historians sayFall in love, Bollywood style: 5 saree looks perfect for Valentine’s Day‘Vadh 2’ star Neena Gupta’s 5 unfiltered views on motherhood and living life her wayTop 1% habits that make people respect you instantlyLong before ‘Dhurandhar,’ ‘Border 2,’ or ‘Jawan,’ THIS 1969 release shattered records by running to packed houses for 100 days, minting nine times its cost5 key factors that deeply impact the real estate market and what every buyer should knowWhat Lord Shiva symbol is meant for you based on your birth numberBengaluru to get dedicated electric vehicle city; 80 acres identified near city123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingGCC Unified VisaRamadan 2026Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns InjuryPhiladelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers injury reportNFL Trade RumorsMyles Garrett GirlfriendSuryakumar YadavGhaziabad Suicide CaseJim BentT20 World Cup
NEW DELHI: Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday said he believed there would be no change in Karnataka’s leadership and that his father Siddaramaiah was likely to remain chief minister for the full five-year term.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Yathindra said the party high command had given a clear signal, even if not publicly, that there will be no leadership change. He said the issue was settled and that no one in the party had said Siddaramaiah should be removed.“According to me, the high command might not have said it openly, but have given a clear signal that there will not be any leadership change. So I believe that Siddaramaiah will be the CM for five years,” he said.Yathindra also said that apart from media discussions, the leadership change issue was not being discussed in political circles. He added that the government should focus on other matters, including the upcoming budget and the state’s financial situation.
Shivakumar’s sarcastic response
Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, who is also seen as a contender for the chief minister’s post, responded sarcastically to Yathindra’s remarks. “Yathindra is our high command, and let’s accept what he says very respectfully,” Shivakumar told reporters in Mangaluru. He added that if anyone had to clarify the issue, it would be the party’s central leadership in Delhi.
What’s the controversy
The leadership issue had gained attention after the Congress government completed half of its five-year term in November 2025. There has been speculation about a possible power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the government was formed 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.Last month, DK Shivakumar’s brother had said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.
