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 elevate their leader to the top position in the state.
Magadi MLA H C Balakrishna organized the gathering, where discussions were held "to end the confusion regarding power sharing."
However, Shivakumar said on Friday that he was unaware of the MLAs meeting to advocate for him as Chief Minister.
"Nearly 40 like-minded MLAs" gathered at the private hotel on Thursday night, where it was decided to lobby for Shivakumar's elevation as Chief Minister, according to sources within the Congress.
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, the Magadi MLA 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 issue (the leadership dispute). We have decided that we should urge them (the high command) to do so."
In response to a question about 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'. They know what is happening in Karnataka," he added.
According to him, when Congress MLAs go to their constituencies, they often face questions and discussions about leadership changes.
"In our constituencies, this is the only discussion, and it is frustrating for us. We must request the high command to put an end to this. Let's see how to address this further," Balakrishna said.
He said that summoning leaders individually would not help.
"We are clear. The high command should intervene and make a final decision on 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 advocating for the past 10 years, he said that let the high command make a decision if they wish.
"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 emphasized.
In response to a question about whether he was suggesting changing the Chief Minister in the state, Balakrishna said, "Didn't the high command say that 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 begin on March 6.
Some other MLAs said they want Shivakumar to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Reacting to the developments, Shivakumar said there was no show of strength.
"These are their personal matters. It has nothing to do with the party," the Deputy CM told reporters here.
Shivakumar said he was unaware of the MLAs meeting to advocate for him as Chief Minister.
"I don't know. No one has come and spoken to me about it yet. Let them come and speak, then I will respond," he added.
According to the Deputy CM, even the new MLAs have aspirations to become ministers, which he said was no wrong.
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 there was a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the Congress came to power.
According to the agreement, Siddaramaiah will be the CM for the first two and a half years, and later Shivakumar would take charge. However, there was no definitive confirmation.
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.
