New Delhi, May 26
Senior Congress leaders met in New Delhi on Tuesday amid renewed speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, even as the party formally discussed candidates for upcoming Rajya Sabha and legislative council elections.The meeting, chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, was attended by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary Randeep Surjewala and organisation secretary K. C. Venugopal.Held at the party’s Indira Bhawan headquarters, the discussions lasted nearly two hours.
Although the official agenda focused on selecting candidates for Rajya Sabha and Karnataka legislative council elections, political attention remained centred on the continuing power struggle within the Karnataka Congress.
At the heart of the issue is Shivakumar’s long-standing claim that he was promised the chief minister’s post after the 2023 state assembly elections under a reported power-sharing arrangement.
Neither Siddaramaiah nor Shivakumar commented on reports of a possible leadership change after the meeting. Kharge also avoided responding to questions on the matter.
The Congress is expected to win three of the four Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant from Karnataka, while the BJP is likely to secure one seat based on current numbers in the state assembly.
Party sources said Kharge is expected to be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. The party is also considering the candidature of Shivakumar’s brother, D. K. Suresh, along with a possible woman or OBC nominee.
Congress leaders are also believed to have discussed candidates for the Karnataka legislative council, where the party is expected to win four out of seven vacant seats.
