In a significant development in Karnataka politics, state minister K N Rajanna has stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is willing to resign if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asks him to do so. This marks a notable shift in the stance of the Siddaramaiah camp, which had previously maintained that there should not be any change in the leadership.
Shift in Leadership Stance
Rajanna, a close associate of Siddaramaiah, made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday. He emphasized that the Chief Minister has always respected the party high command's decisions. "If Rahul Gandhi asks Siddaramaiah to resign, he will step down immediately. There is no confusion about it," Rajanna said.
The statement comes amid growing speculation about a potential leadership change in Karnataka ahead of the 2028 assembly elections. While the Congress party has not officially commented on the issue, Rajanna's comments suggest a softening of the earlier position held by the Siddaramaiah faction.
Previous Position of the Siddaramaiah Camp
Earlier, supporters of Siddaramaiah had insisted that he would continue as Chief Minister for the full term. They argued that the government's performance under his leadership had been satisfactory and that any change would destabilize the administration. However, with the upcoming elections and pressure from central leadership, the stance appears to have evolved.
Political analysts view this as a strategic move to align with the party's high command and avoid any internal conflict. Rajanna also praised Rahul Gandhi's leadership and said that the party workers would follow his directions.
Reactions from Other Leaders
Meanwhile, other Congress leaders in the state have refrained from commenting on the issue. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has criticized the Congress for the uncertainty, accusing it of being unable to decide on its leadership. BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "The Congress is in a state of confusion. They cannot even decide who will lead them."
The development has added a new dimension to Karnataka's political landscape, with all eyes now on the Congress high command's next move.
