Amid ongoing speculation about a leadership change in Karnataka, Congress MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga has made a bold claim that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will take over as the Chief Minister by December 2025. He expressed unwavering confidence in this assertion, even declaring that he would sign it in blood if needed.
Speaking to reporters in Davangere, Shivaganga asserted that DK Shivakumar would not only assume the Chief Minister’s role later this year but also continue to hold the position for the next 7.5 years. He based this confidence on the belief that Congress would secure another victory in the next Assembly elections, allowing Shivakumar to continue leading the government.
“Write it down, it will happen by December. I can also write and give it to you in blood if you want, that he (DK Shivakumar) will become CM by December. If he takes charge in December, he will run the administration, including the next five-year term too, so by and large, he will be CM for 7.5 years,” Shivaganga told PTI.
The Channagiri MLA, while stopping short of confirming the existence of any formal power-sharing agreement, emphasized DK Shivakumar’s contributions to the party’s growth and success. He credited the Deputy CM for strengthening the Congress in Karnataka, significantly improving its performance in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
“He (DK Shivakumar) has made history. He has organised the party, invested his resources, and sacrificed a lot for it. His silence or composure should not be mistaken for weakness. The high command is aware of everything, and I am a hundred per cent sure he will be CM by December,” he added.
DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the Karnataka Congress President, has long been considered a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post. Speculation about a possible leadership change within Congress has been rife, with reports suggesting that an internal arrangement for a “rotational chief minister” model might be in place.
Following Congress’ victory in the May 2023 Assembly elections, an intense competition emerged between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the top post. Ultimately, the party chose Siddaramaiah as the CM, with DK Shivakumar agreeing to serve as his deputy. At the time, multiple reports indicated that an informal understanding had been reached, wherein DK Shivakumar would assume the role of CM after two and a half years. However, the Congress leadership has never officially confirmed such an agreement.
Despite these claims, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara dismissed the notion of any power-sharing arrangement in December 2024, stating that no such agreement existed before Congress formed the government.
With tensions simmering and the state’s political landscape evolving, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether DK Shivakumar will indeed take over as Karnataka’s Chief Minister or if the Congress leadership sticks with Siddaramaiah.
