BENGALURU, Nov. 27 — Amid renewed speculation of a leadership change in Karnataka, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced plans to bring Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Rahul Gandhi together in New Delhi for a round of discussions.
“I will call everyone and discuss. After speaking to all key leaders, we will decide how to move forward,” Kharge said, adding that the exercise is aimed at ending the “confusion” triggered by talk of a power-sharing deal from 2023.
He said the party’s central leadership would take a collective call. “The high command means a team, not an individual. Our high command team will discuss and decide,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said he was ready to attend the meeting if invited. Shivakumar said he and the chief minister would go “whenever the high command calls.”
Political tension has risen since the government reached the midpoint of its term on November 20, prompting speculation about whether the Congress will stick to or revisit any earlier understanding between the two top leaders.
Ahead of the proposed Delhi meeting, Siddaramaiah huddled with ministers close to him, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna, officials said.
