Shivakumar Dismisses PM Modi’s Remarks on Karnataka Leadership Crisis

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments suggesting instability within the Congress led government in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Lingasagur town of Raichur district, Shivakumar said there was no crisis in Karnataka and dismissed claims that the Chief Minister’s position was under threat.

“There is no instability in Karnataka. Every chair is stable. I do not know what the Prime Minister is referring to,” Shivakumar said.

The Deputy CM was reacting to Modi’s criticism of the Congress government during a gathering of BJP workers in Bengaluru earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of being distracted by internal political struggles instead of focusing on governance. He claimed the state administration had spent much of its time dealing with leadership disputes and power sharing issues.

Modi also alleged that the Congress had failed to fulfil the expectations of the people and described the party as a “parasite party.”

Political discussions around a possible leadership change in Karnataka have continued since the Congress formed the government in 2023. Reports have repeatedly suggested that there was an informal understanding between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar regarding a rotational chief ministership arrangement.

According to these reports, Shivakumar was expected to take over as Chief Minister after the government completed half of its term. However, the Congress leadership has never officially confirmed such an agreement.

Despite ongoing speculation, senior Congress leaders in Karnataka have consistently maintained that the government remains united and stable.