Siddaramaiah affirms full-term tenure, rejects leadership change buzz

Belagavi, Dec 2025 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday firmly dismissed speculation about a leadership change within the state Congress, declaring that he will continue in office for the full term. He also clarified that no power-sharing model or half-term arrangement has been discussed within the party.

Speaking during the ongoing Belagavi Assembly session, Siddaramaiah made the statement after BJP legislators questioned whether he would remain in office long enough to implement the development assurances announced for the North Karnataka region.

“The leadership issue is an internal matter of our party. We will follow the directions of the high command. However, I am the current Chief Minister and have completed two-and-a-half years in office. I will continue as Chief Minister in the future as well,” Siddaramaiah said. Reiterating his stand, he added: “I am here and I will continue to be the Chief Minister.”

The comments came in response to a series of pointed questions from the Opposition. Senior BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar said his query stemmed from genuine concern about the continuity of governance. “Today, you have made announcements for North Karnataka. You should be in a position to implement them. You will remain Chief Minister, right?” he asked. Siddaramaiah assured him that he would.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka pressed further, asking whether the Congress Legislature Party had formally decided if Siddaramaiah would serve all five years or only half the term. The Chief Minister replied that no such arrangement had been discussed or decided upon.

BJP MLA N. Munirathna then challenged Siddaramaiah to make a forceful affirmation. “Won’t you thump the table and say that you will remain Chief Minister for five years?” he asked.

Siddaramaiah responded with a lighter tone: “Mr Ashoka, will you be the Leader of the Opposition for five years? I may be physically weak, but I am capable. I have already completed one full five-year term as Chief Minister and am now serving my second term. According to me, the high command is in my favour.”

He also used the moment to take a swipe at the BJP, remarking: “Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa used to claim that he would remain Chief Minister for five years. Did he complete a full term?”

Siddaramaiah’s statement is expected to spark fresh political debate in Karnataka, especially amid ongoing rumours about Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s ambitions for the top post.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly maintained that he will abide by the high command’s decision if the question of leadership ever arises.

The issue resurfaced recently after Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah said that the party high command had rejected Shivakumar’s claim and that Siddaramaiah would complete the full term in office.