Bengaluru, February 27 The ongoing power struggle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka intensified as supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar gathered at a hotel to discuss strategies to ensure their leader's elevation to the top position in the state.
Magadi MLA H C Balakrishna organized the gathering, where discussions were held "to clear the confusion regarding power sharing."
"Nearly 40 like-minded MLAs" gathered at the private hotel on Thursday night, where it was decided to lobby for Shivakumar's appointment as Chief Minister, sources said.
Speaking to reporters, Balakrishna, a loyalist of Shivakumar, said his birthday falls on Saturday. "Since I will not be here (Bengaluru) from Friday morning as I am going out, I asked all 'like-minded people' to have a get-together on Thursday. We invited everyone and organized this gathering."
When asked about what they discussed, Balakrishna said, "The discussion here was that, given the current situation, if our party continues like this, it will be difficult for us in the future. The high command must give a final decision on this (leadership row). We have decided that we should urge them (the high command) to do so."
To the question whether they would visit Delhi, Balakrishna said that the matter is not about going to the national capital.
"The high command is not 'sleeping there in Delhi'. It knows what is happening in Karnataka," he added.
According to him, when Congress MLAs go to their constituencies, they often face questions and discussions on leadership changes.
"In our constituencies, this is the only discussion, and it irritates us. We must request the high command to put an end to this. Let us see how to discuss it further," Balakrishna said.
He said that summoning leaders individually would not help.
"We are clear. The high command should intervene and put an end to this issue," Balakrishna said.
He added that when Congress MLAs gather, conversations naturally happen.
"During such discussions, many MLAs expressed that unless this is resolved, it will be difficult for us and our future will be uncertain," the MLA said, hinting that the leadership issue would damage the party's prospects in the 2028 assembly election.
When asked about the calls to change the Congress Karnataka unit president, which Shivakumar has been holding for the past 10 years, he said, "Let the high command change if it wishes."
"We only want a final decision. Whether they change the president or someone else, that is not the main question. Our demand is that a final decision be made for the Congress party here," the MLA emphasised.
To a question about whether he was suggesting changing the Chief Minister in the state, Balakrishna said, "Didn't the high command say a decision will be made? Whether they change the president or the CM is the high command's decision. But a decision must be made. It's not just our opinion. What we want is that the confusion must end."
The meeting took place about a week before the budget session of the Karnataka legislature, which will start on March 6.
Some other MLAs said they want Shivakumar to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The power struggle has intensified in the state since November 2025, when the Congress government completed the halfway mark of two-and-a-half years.
There have been reports that when the Congress came to power, there was a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
According to the agreement, Siddaramaiah will be the CM for the first two-and-a-half years, and later Shivakumar would take charge. There was no definitive confirmation though.
Shivakumar has been hinting that a power-sharing agreement did exist and very few people know it.
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah has been asserting that he would remain the CM for the full five-year term.