Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister DK Shivakumar met with Congress party leadership in Delhi on May 26, 2026 [2].
The meeting comes amid reports of a power struggle between the two senior leaders over the state's chief-ministership. This tension threatens the internal stability of the party in a key southern state.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met with senior party figures, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi [1]. The discussions centered on candidate placement for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections [2].
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the scope of the talks. Some sources said the meeting included discussions about a potential change in Karnataka's chief-ministership and the possibility of Siddaramaiah moving to the Rajya Sabha [1]. However, other reports indicate the party has downplayed these claims, saying the meeting focused solely on the Rajya Sabha polls [2].
The friction between the two leaders is not new. Reports of a leadership struggle have surfaced periodically since the Congress party formed the Karnataka government in 2023 [1].
Party officials said a leadership change was not on the agenda during the Delhi visit [2]. The high command is tasked with balancing the ambitions of Shivakumar and the current standing of Siddaramaiah to maintain party unity.
“The meeting comes amid reports of a power struggle between the two senior leaders over the state's chief-ministership.”
The ongoing friction between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar reflects a deeper struggle for dominance within the Karnataka Congress. While the party officially frames these meetings as routine electoral planning for the Rajya Sabha, the recurring nature of these reports suggests a fragile power-sharing agreement. The outcome of these deliberations will determine whether the party maintains its current leadership structure or pivots to a new arrangement to resolve internal rivalry.
