Bagalkote (Karnataka), March 31 Amid the ongoing power struggle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Tuesday that the government led by the party will remain in power for two more years, and that he will continue to hold the top position.
He made these remarks while campaigning for the Congress candidate in the Bagalkote by-election, Umesh Meti.
"We will be in power for two more years. I am the Chief Minister of the state, and we will remain in power for two more years. If this constituency is to develop, it can only happen if the Congress candidate wins," Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing a gathering, he expressed confidence that Umesh Meti would continue the work of his late father, H Y Meti, and urged the people to vote for him in the upcoming by-elections.
By-elections for the Bagalkote and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies will be held on April 9. These elections were necessitated by the deaths of senior Congress MLAs, H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.
Siddaramaiah's statement comes days after he said that the party high command would make the final decision on his continuation as Chief Minister.
The power struggle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change in Chief Minister after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
This speculation has been fueled by reports of a "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
The current government's tenure will end in 2028.