Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday sought to quell persistent speculation surrounding a possible change of leadership in the state, reiterating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would serve his full term and that all decisions regarding cabinet or leadership changes rest solely with the Congress high command. Speaking to reporters in Delhi before his scheduled meetings, Shivakumar described himself as a “disciplined soldier” of the party and stressed that media-driven rumours were being mistaken for political developments.
“There has been no discussion about a cabinet reshuffle or a leadership change. These matters are entirely for the party leadership to decide. I have not met anyone, nor do I have any such plans,” he said, underscoring that the Congress remains united and that he continues to focus on strengthening the party organisation. Shivakumar further dismissed the ongoing chatter over what some political commentators have dubbed the “November Revolution”, calling it a media creation with no basis in fact.
Reaffirming his commitment to party discipline, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “If the party says Siddaramaiah will continue for five years, he will be there for five years. If they say ten years, he will continue for ten. Even if they say fifteen, he will remain for fifteen. Whatever the Congress decides, we will stand by it.” He added that his energy was directed toward preparing for future elections and ensuring that the Congress government remains stable and effective in governance.
Taking a lighter tone while rejecting rumours of internal strife, Shivakumar remarked, “There is no November, December, or January revolution. The only revolution will be in 2028 when Congress comes back to power. Until then, there is no revolution in Karnataka politics.”
His comments followed a social media post by the BJP’s Karnataka unit, which attempted to mock the Congress with an AI-generated video depicting senior leaders — including Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi — engaged in a game of musical chairs around the Chief Minister’s seat. The BJP captioned the video “Countdown to the November Revolution!”, alluding to speculation that the Congress might see a leadership change this month.
Shivakumar brushed off the satire, saying such political theatrics are routine in a democracy and that governance, not gossip, remains his priority. Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders in Delhi have also indicated that there is no immediate plan for any reshuffle or change in leadership, reiterating that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar continue to enjoy the party’s confidence.
The renewed discussion over leadership traces back to the aftermath of the 2023 Assembly election, where Congress secured a decisive victory. Since then, speculation about a possible mid-term power-sharing formula between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has occasionally resurfaced. However, Thursday’s categorical statement from the Deputy Chief Minister appears to signal that, at least for now, the Congress intends to project unity and stability in the state government.
