‘Sonia Gandhi takes our decision’: Haqq on speculation over Karnataka PM change

New Delhi: President of Congress Malikajun Hager Siddaramaiah on Thursday played down the dispute between Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar over the chief ministerial post and said the party would resolve the “chaos” soon.“A day earlier, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said everyone in the ruling Congress party would welcome Khargage if he becomes chief minister.Speaking to reporters, Haq refuted the speculations and said Sonia Gandhi made the decision about him.“You (the media), he (Parameshwara) and people at the top are saying that it will be better if I become (chief minister). But fate apart, Sonia Gandhi has taken a decision on me based on my ideology and my service to the party so far,” he said.“But, the issue will not arise now. There is already a chief minister here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and I have to take any decision together to change the direction, it will take some time. Let us wait and see,” he added.Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been insisting that his promotion is in line with the rumored power-sharing deal with CM Siddaramaiah if the party wins the 2023 assembly elections.Amid speculation over leadership changes in Karnataka, Parameshwara on Wednesday said everyone in the ruling Congress party would welcome Haq, a senior politician with vast experience, as chief minister.The power struggle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar intensified after the Congress government in Karnataka completed more than half of its term in November last year. Several MLAs and MLCs from the DKS camped in Delhi urging the party high command to appoint him as the next chief minister.DK Shivakumar also fueled speculations by claiming that “there was indeed a secret understanding among five or six leaders regarding leadership transition” soon after the Congress’ landslide victory in the 2023 elections.The Deputy First Minister mentioned the power deal for the first time but gave no further details. “It’s confidential. I don’t want to talk about it publicly,” he said.After the Congress government completes half of its five-year term on November 20, 2025, the leadership battle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation that the chief minister may be replaced. The speculation has been fueled by reports of a “power-sharing” arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the government is formed in 2023.After the Congress victory in the Karnataka Assembly in 2023, the party high command was in trouble over the chief minister. After several days of deliberation, the party decided to adopt Siddaramaiah’s name considering his qualifications and popularity. However, an agreement has reportedly been reached whereby DK Shivakumar will take over power in the second half of the government.