The ongoing political drama surrounding the Chief Minister's post in Karnataka has now shifted from Bengaluru to Delhi. Both Siddaramaiah, the current Chief Minister, and DK Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister, have arrived in the national capital. Their visit comes at a time when speculations about a potential leadership change in the state have been circulating, especially after recent claims by Karnataka MLAs about the need for a change in leadership.

Both leaders have stated that their trip to Delhi is related to state development projects, with no mention of cabinet reshuffles or leadership changes. However, their scheduled meetings with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have raised eyebrows, fueling speculation about the power play within the party.

During a press conference in Delhi, DK Shivakumar mentioned that he had requested an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, though the latter is currently in Patna. Shivakumar clarified that the purpose of his visit was to discuss irrigation projects and seek financial aid for these initiatives. He stressed that there was no agenda for a cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka. When asked about meeting Sonia Gandhi, he confirmed that he had not met her but had requested a meeting time.

Siddaramaiah, who is also in Delhi, reportedly met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss matters related to the state. Both leaders continue to deny the swirling rumors regarding a leadership change, with Siddaramaiah firmly stating that the Congress government in Karnataka is stable and will last for the full term. He emphasized that he would continue to focus on governance and development, dismissing any speculation about a change at the top.

The speculation about the leadership post traces back to the aftermath of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, where Congress achieved a landslide victory. At that time, DK Shivakumar was considered a leading candidate for the Chief Minister's role due to his instrumental role in the party's victory. However, Congress leadership ultimately convinced Shivakumar to accept the Deputy CM and state party chief posts, with reports of an informal agreement for a rotational chief ministership. These reports, however, have never been officially confirmed, leading to continuing tensions within the state Congress unit.

Meanwhile, the Congress in Bengaluru continues to work on internal unity under the guidance of Randeep Singh Surjewala, the party’s Karnataka in-charge. Surjewala has been meeting with MLAs to address any internal differences and ensure the party’s cohesion ahead of the upcoming challenges.

Despite the political uncertainty, Shivakumar has reiterated his commitment to party unity and governance. He also took a moment to express his frustration with the BJP’s emphasis on the leadership change in Karnataka, noting that the ruling party should focus on its own internal issues rather than meddling in Congress affairs. The situation in Karnataka remains fluid, with the Congress leadership in Delhi likely to play a key role in resolving the current impasse.

As Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar continue their meetings in Delhi, all eyes will be on the decisions made by Congress leadership in the coming days, with party unity and the future of Karnataka's government hanging in the balance.