Is Karnataka Congress' high command gauging the mood of its MLAs before a leadership change?

Amid speculations over the change of guard in Karnataka, AICC's Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala's one-to-one closed-door feedback meetings with legislators from the Bengaluru and Mysore districts has given credence to claims of a political overhaul in the state.

Senior legislator from Aland B.R. Patil alleged that Siddaramaiah had "won a lottery", though both leaders had started their political career around the same time.

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"I took Siddaramaiah to meet Smt Sonia Gandhi when he decided to join the Congress. He was lucky and won the lottery and became the chief minister twice, when I couldn't even become a minister," Patil lamented—a Siddaramaiah confidante who had earlier alleged rampant corruption in the allotment of houses, triggering a controversy.

Siddaramaiah, who was taken aback on hearing Patil's statement to the media, quipped: "It is true that I am lucky. If Patil feels that way, I can do little about it. I will speak to him."

Both Patil and Kagwad MLA Raju Kage—who had complained about rampant corruption and bribe culture across various departments—met Surjewala, who plans to meet MLAs, MLCs, MPs, ministers, heads of frontal organisations and defeated candidates.

AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that Surjewala was gathering opinion from legislators on the government and the minister's performance, constituency development work, the minister's responsiveness and performance, as well as how to effectively implement the five flagship guarantee schemes.

There is a strong indication that the party high command is trying to study the mood within the party and the government, if and when the party decides to replace the chief minister as per the power-sharing pact that will see deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as the next chief minister.

Siddaramaiah, who is wary of the rumours of power transfer by November, claimed on Monday that there were “no differences” between him and Shivakumar.

In a clear departure from his earlier claims, the CM stated that the “Congress government” would remain stable for five years like a ‘bande’ (rock), obviously referring to the nickname (‘Kanakapurada bande’, translating to Kanakapura’s rock) given to Shivakumar by the Kannada media.

Siddaramaiah did not clarify if he would continue as the CM for the full term of five years.

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Surjewala, who is holding marathon meetings with legislators at the party office in Bengaluru, dismissed rumours of a leadership change in the state.

“It is only a figment of imagination of the media. We are here to discuss party organisational matters and governance issues,” claimed Surjewala, who has been tasked with gauging the mood within the party and the government, following numerous complaints against the ministers.

Congress legislators have flagged concerns over the ministers being inaccessible to even the party MLAs and being unresponsive to their needs, besides the paucity of constituency funds and a delay in remittances under the guarantee schemes.

However, public outbursts of MLAs from both factions certainly point to a changing political climate in the state.

Ramnagara MLA Iqbal Hussain and Magadi MLA H.C. Balakrishna, who are scheduled to meet Surjewala today, openly endorsed Shivakumar for CM.

“I will certainly express my views before the high command. Shivakumar has worked hard to ensure the party’s victory and he should be made the CM,” said Balakrishna.

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“It is not just my wish. More than 100 MLAs are seeking a change in leadership. They have told me we need good administration and Shivakumar should be given an opportunity as he has worked hard to organise and strengthen the party. He took over as the KPCC chief when the party was in a bad state. Today it has grown in strength. I will give my opinion regarding the leadership change and also discuss issues concerning my constituency,” stated MLA Hussain, who has identified with the Shivakumar faction.

The deputy chief minister has claimed that no discussions were being held on leadership changes or cabinet reshuffle, but on the party's organisational matters.

“AICC chief has declared 2025 as the year of organisation and has asked us to empower the district presidents. Surjewala is here to receive the pleas of our legislators and guide us on party organisation,” Shivakumar said, adding that he would issue notice to Iqbal Hussain for making public statements.

“We need to strengthen the hands of our chief minister,” he declared.

India