BENGALURU: Political uncertainty is surging in Karnataka as a ruling Congress MLA has unequivocally stated that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is “200 per cent” certain to take over as the state’s next Chief Minister soon.
The bold claim was made by Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain, who reaffirmed his confidence in Shivakumar’s elevation amidst mounting speculation over a potential leadership change. The Congress government recently crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term, intensifying the public debate and internal lobbying for the top post, currently held by Siddaramaiah.
”I always stand by that statement… 200 per cent, he will become the CM soon. The high command will decide,” Hussain stated. He added cryptically that the transfer of power is based on a “secret deal among five to six party leaders, and those five to six people will decide.”
The declaration comes hot on the heels of a visit by a group of Congress legislators, widely viewed as Shivakumar loyalists, to New Delhi. Their mission was to meet with senior party leaders to push for the Deputy CM’s elevation. The visit follows a separate meeting last week where nearly ten MLAs reportedly met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
The ongoing tussle for leadership has caused alarm within the party. Magadi MLA H. C. Balakrishna emphasized that the central leadership must intervene quickly to resolve the situation. “We went to discuss with the high command to clear the confusion because a final decision is needed. Who becomes CM is not important; the current situation is detrimental to the Congress party,” he stressed, urging an end to the debilitating uncertainty.
However, Mr. Shivakumar has sought to distance himself from the lobbying efforts. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “I have not called or spoken to any of them. I am not asking why they went. I don’t need to,” suggesting that the MLAs might have travelled to the capital in search of ministerial roles during a proposed cabinet reshuffle. Despite his dismissal, the persistent noise from his staunch supporters ensures the Chief Ministerial leadership question remains the central focus of Karnataka politics.
