NEW DELHI — The prolonged and intense leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress has reached a critical boiling point in the national capital. On Tuesday morning, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D.K. Shivakumar, arrived at the party’s Indira Bhavan headquarters for a high-stakes showdown with the Congress top brass.

The urgent meeting—convened by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi—comes as the state government marks three years in office, reigniting fierce debate over who will lead Karnataka into the 2028 Assembly elections.

High-Command Seeks Solution to the 3-Year Power Split

The central leadership is attempting to broker a definitive resolution to the factional friction that has shadowed the state administration since its dominant victory in May 2023.

Supporters of D.K. Shivakumar, a powerful Vokkaliga leader and Karnataka state Congress chief, have continuously asserted that a “secret” mid-term rotational power-sharing formula was established during initial government formation. With the three-year mark now crossed, the Shivakumar camp is pressing the high command to honor the transition.

Conversely, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a formidable mass leader backing the state’s AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes, and Dalits) coalition, has consistently stated his intention to finish out a full five-year term. The internal divide is further highlighted by the arrival of over 17 pro-Siddaramaiah MLAs in Delhi. Before entering the AICC headquarters, Siddaramaiah held a tactical breakfast meeting at Karnataka Bhavan with close loyalists, including ministers M.B. Patil and G. Parameshwara.

Cabinet Reshuffle vs. Leadership Transition

Political analysts note that the outcome of today’s deliberation rests heavily on whether the high command sanctions a state cabinet reshuffle.

Currently, three vacancies exist in the Karnataka cabinet. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is pushing for a full-scale recast to induct fresh legislative faces, a move that would signal the central leadership’s continued backing of his tenure. On the other hand, D.K. Shivakumar has reportedly opposed a mid-term cabinet reshuffle, arguing that structural leadership clarity must be finalized before any portfolios are reassigned.

When questioned by reporters on his way into Indira Bhavan, a visibly reserved Deputy CM Shivakumar briefly commented:

“During a certain situation, I will have to go, I’m going… write it down, in 2028 the Congress government will be back in power.”

Central Leadership Attempts to Downplay Rift

Publicly, the Congress central apparatus is working overtime to minimize rumors of an open revolt, framing the high-level huddle as a routine organizational review.

State in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala issued a statement attempting to shift focus toward immediate legislative responsibilities. “Rajya Sabha elections have been officially notified, and the Legislative Council elections will follow immediately after. The party continues to have standard internal consultations. Please do not speculate; I quash all other rumors,” Surjewala told reporters.

Party insiders suggest that Kharge and Gandhi may conduct separate, one-on-one sessions with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to gauge compromise limits. A definitive announcement clarifying the chief ministerial framework is expected from the AICC within the next 48 to 72 hours.