Karnataka Politics: The political turmoil in Karnataka regarding change of leadership and the post of Chief Minister has again intensified. The recent meeting between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Rahul Gandhi has sparked a new discussion in political circles. After the video and post surfaced, the debate on power tussle has started again in the state.

After a brief and private conversation with Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, DK Shivkumar wrote on social media, ‘Efforts may fail, but prayers never fail.’ This post was shared soon after the meeting of the two leaders at Mysuru Airport. At the time of this meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was continuously rejecting speculations about change of leadership. This conversation between DK and Rahul further intensified the speculations about change of power in Karnataka.

Met at Mysuru Airport

On Tuesday, before leaving for Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi reached Mandakalli Airport in Mysuru, where he was welcomed by Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Within a few minutes Rahul left by helicopter. Later, while returning to Delhi, when Rahul returned to Mysuru, DK already reached the airport and there was a face to face conversation between the two on the runway for about three minutes. After some time Siddaramaiah also reached there.

Political discussions got more air

After this special conversation, political speculations intensified. DK shared pictures of the meeting, but both the leaders maintained distance from the media. Siddaramaiah clearly said that there is no confusion regarding the post of Chief Minister and the final decision will be taken by the party high command. Meanwhile, the Congress and the police banned the entry of party workers to avoid any kind of show of force at the airport, so that a situation like the sloganeering seen recently at Mangaluru airport does not happen again.

According to sources, this time Siddaramaiah is in no mood of confusion. While talking to Rahul, he said that new confusion should not arise every day and a permanent solution should be found soon. On the other hand, DK Shivkumar, who is waiting for the post of Chief Minister, has also indicated that his efforts will continue. The fight for the chair in Karnataka now seems to be intensifying again and all eyes in the political circles are on the party high command, which will take the final decision on the post of Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday (November 30) once again dismissed reports of internal differences with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He said that amid speculations about change of leadership in the state, he never took any MLA to Delhi.

Let us tell you that on Saturday, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar had a meeting over breakfast, after which they showed unity and denied any differences between them.

There have never been any differences between us: Deputy CM

Shivkumar told the media on Sunday, ‘There have never been any differences between us. Whenever I went to Delhi, I did not take even a single MLA. I could have taken at least 10 to 12 MLAs. This does not serve any purpose.

He said that being the Karnataka Pradesh Congress President, he is a ‘father figure’ to all the party members. DK said, ‘I have to take everyone along. All 140 MLAs are dear to me. I never discriminate against anyone. I have no differences with anyone.

I tried to save Kumaraswamy government: DK

HD was the Chief Minister for one year from May 2018. Recalling his efforts during Kumaraswamy’s tenure, DK Shivakumar said, ‘I tried my best to save the coalition government of Congress and JD(S). Both I and God know this.

He said Kumaraswamy and his father former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda also knows this. Responding to Kumaraswamy’s allegation that Shivakumar had sought the support of the abbots amid the tug of war for power, he said, ‘I never asked for it. I love all races. Many saints spoke in my favor. Had I asked him to speak on my behalf? No. This is their love and trust in me. Should I call it wrong?’

I don’t backstab: DK Shivakumar

Shivakumar said, ‘Let him (Kumaraswamy) say whatever he wants, but I will not be hurt. I never backstab. I go ahead and fight.

On the criticism being made by BJP regarding the leadership dispute, he said, ‘BJP can say anything for its survival. Should we take them seriously?’

The Deputy Chief Minister said that he wants to call an all-party meeting in Delhi to raise several issues related to the state, including the farmers’ issue and the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project, in view of the Parliament session starting from December 1.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday (26) amid ongoing speculation about leadership change in Karnataka that he will resolve the matter after discussing with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. This statement of Kharge is being considered very important at a time when the power struggle within the ruling party Congress has intensified amid speculations about change of Chief Minister in the state.

What did Kharge say on Karnataka politics?

Regarding the political situation in Karnataka, he said, “I will discuss with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi… then this issue will be resolved.” After the Congress government completed two and a half years of its five-year term on November 20, this discussion has intensified as an alleged power sharing agreement is being claimed between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.

Congress’s secret deal regarding Karnataka

Siddaramaiah had recently said that he will remain the Chief Minister for the full five-year term and will continue to present the state budget in future. DK Shivakumar had said on Tuesday that he does not want to talk publicly on the issue of changing the Chief Minister, because it is a secret deal between four-five people in the party and he trusts his conscience.

The discussion about this secret deal has increased in recent months, because Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has mentioned about the cabinet reshuffle. People close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah say that no such agreement was made. MLAs associated with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are demanding clarification from the party leadership.

‘Change of leadership is not such an issue in Karnataka’

Siddaramaiah had recently said that the decision of the high command on this issue will be applicable to him and everyone including Shivakumar. He had asked the top leaders of the party to end this confusion. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday (25 November 2025) said that change of leadership in Karnataka is not an issue that can be discussed publicly.

RSS Ban: The debate regarding Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has intensified in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given instructions regarding the RSS program that RSS branches should not be established in government and government-aided schools, public grounds or other government properties. This instruction has been given on the request of Information Technology, Biotechnology, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge. In a letter written by Kharge to the Chief Minister, the RSS has expressed concern over the use of public institutions to organize shakhas, allegedly promoting divisive ideologies and inciting anti-constitutional sentiments among children and youth. In the meantime, let us know when attempts have been made to ban RSS before.

After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi

The first major ban on RSS was imposed after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948. The then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had imposed this ban on 4 February 1948. His allegation was that RSS was instigating communal tension. This ban was removed in 1949.

during emergency

In 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had declared a nationwide emergency. With this, civil liberties were suspended and political opposition was cracked down on. During this period the RSS was banned again as it was considered a threat to the authority of the government. During this period, many RSS workers were arrested, which showed the controversial role of the organization in Indian politics.

Babri Masjid after demolition

After the demolition of Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992, the central government led by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao had banned RSS along with organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. Later this ban was removed by the High Court.

Priyank Kharge’s letter to CM

Priyank, writing a letter to the CM, said that an organization named Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is using government and aided schools and public government grounds to set up shakhas and inculcate negative thoughts in the minds of children and youth towards the unity of the country and raise slogans against the ideals of the Constitution. Along with this, he requested to ban the activities of RSS organized in government and aided schools, grounds and parks.

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