Overview
- After meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called it a courtesy call and labeled leadership-change talk as media speculation.
- He said there was no discussion on a cabinet reshuffle and added that the conversation covered party organisation and upcoming local body polls, including the Bengaluru municipal elections.
- Siddaramaiah asserted he will continue in office and present future state budgets, while reiterating he will follow whatever decision the party high command takes.
- About 15 Congress MLAs and roughly a dozen MLCs have stationed themselves in New Delhi to press the case for elevating Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, according to reports.
- Supporters cite a reported 2023 power-sharing understanding for a midterm handover that the party has not officially confirmed, and Shivakumar said legislators are free to meet senior leaders.