Siddaramaiah Willing to Step Down or Continue as CM Based on Rahul Gandhi’s Call, Says Rajanna

Amid ongoing speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, senior Congress leader K N Rajanna has said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is prepared to either remain in office or step aside depending on the decision of party leader Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Rajanna emphasized that Siddaramaiah is open minded about the situation and will follow whatever direction comes from the Congress high command. He added that all ministers are aligned with this approach and are ready to cooperate with the final decision.

The remarks come at a time when discussions within the party have intensified, especially with supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar pushing for his elevation to the top post. Some leaders backing Shivakumar have hinted at a possible decision by mid May.

Rajanna also suggested that if a change in leadership does happen, the next Chief Minister should come from the Dalit community. He reiterated his earlier stand, saying there is nothing wrong in demanding a Dalit leader for the role.

At the same time, he stressed the need for clarity from the party leadership, warning that prolonged uncertainty could harm both governance and the party’s image. According to him, several leaders have already reached out to the high command in New Delhi to seek a resolution.

The issue is expected to gain momentum after May 4, when election results from several states and bypolls in Karnataka are announced. Rajanna indicated that he too plans to travel to Delhi after that to discuss the matter further.

He also hinted that changes should not be limited to the Chief Minister alone. When asked about the possibility of replacing the state party president, he said that all positions could be reviewed if necessary.

Rajanna further noted that there is growing dissatisfaction among AHINDA communities, a key support base for Siddaramaiah, who feel their expectations have not been fully met by the current government. He acknowledged these concerns and said they need to be addressed.

Reflecting on Siddaramaiah’s tenure, Rajanna remarked that there is a noticeable difference between his earlier term and the current one, suggesting that the Chief Minister is facing certain constraints.

As internal discussions continue, senior leaders like Satish Jarkiholi and H C Mahadevappa have also met party leadership in Delhi, urging them to resolve the issue and bring stability.

For now, the final call rests with the Congress high command, with party leaders expressing hope that a well considered decision will be taken soon.