Mysuru (Karnataka), April 10 Amid the ongoing power struggle within the ruling Congress in the state, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy claimed on Friday that Siddaramaiah will not step down as Chief Minister on his own.
The JD(S) leader was responding to a question about whether Siddaramaiah would complete a full five-year term (2023-28) or step down as Chief Minister.
"He (Siddaramaiah) has said that he will continue as CM if the high command says so, while his son (MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah) says that his father will be CM for a full five years. We have seen him (Siddaramaiah) when he was with us (JD(S)), we have experience with him. Many in Congress also have experience but cannot speak out," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "In my opinion, there is no question of him (Siddaramaiah) stepping down (as CM) on his own."
"He is threatening the Congress high command and has ensured that they cannot speak (against him)," the JD(S) second-in-command claimed.
Amid speculation about a leadership change, Siddaramaiah recently asserted that the Congress government would remain in power for two more years and that he is the Chief Minister of the state.
The leadership struggle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of Chief Minister after the Congress government completes the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fueled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar when the Congress formed the government in 2023.
Responding to a question about his party leaders and legislators repeatedly stating that Kumaraswamy will once again become the Chief Minister, the JD(S) leader said that it is up to God's will and the will of the people.
"Is it in our hands? Did any astrologer or our party workers predict when I became Chief Minister twice in the past? Some party workers may shout such slogans wherever I go, out of their affection towards me...with God's grace, I became CM twice, but did I occupy that post with a clear majority. No. God wrote it in my fate, I became CM. If I have to become CM once again, it is God's will. Let's see what is the will of the people," he said.
Kumaraswamy has headed the coalition government with both the national parties despite JD(S) being a junior partner -- for 20 months with the BJP from February 2006 and with Congress for 14 months after the May 2018 Assembly polls.