Congress Leadership Issue in Karnataka to Be Discussed in Delhi

Bengaluru, Jan 2026 : Senior Congress MLA and Chief Whip Ashok Pattan said on Wednesday that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has asked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to come to Delhi soon to resolve the ongoing leadership-related confusion in the state unit of the party.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Pattan addressed questions regarding Rahul Gandhi’s brief interaction with CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar at the Mysuru airport on Tuesday. He maintained that no substantive discussion took place there and that all important matters would be taken up in Delhi. “All the confusion will be resolved in Delhi,” Pattan said confidently.

Clarifying the sequence of events, Pattan stated that Rahul Gandhi did not hold any detailed talks at the airport. “Yesterday, no discussion took place with Rahul Gandhi. He has asked both leaders to come to Delhi and assured them that everything will be set right. Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have been invited to Delhi,” he said.

According to Pattan, it was Shivakumar who conveyed to Rahul Gandhi that he wished to speak with him. In response, Gandhi reportedly asked both senior leaders to visit Delhi together. “They may be called after the Sankranti festival, and both leaders will go to Delhi. The confusion in the party will be resolved 100 per cent,” Pattan added.

Emphasising party discipline, the Chief Whip said Congress leaders would abide by whatever decision is taken by the high command. “We are disciplined soldiers of the party and will accept the decision of the leadership. Nothing was discussed on the runway. There was only a brief exchange of greetings when Rahul Gandhi arrived,” he said.

Pattan also indicated that a wide range of issues could be discussed during the proposed meeting in Delhi, including the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle. “All matters will be discussed in Delhi. Even I have a demand that I should become a minister,” he remarked, adding a lighter note to the otherwise serious political developments.

The leadership tussle in Karnataka has once again come into sharp focus after Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar shared a cryptic post on social media on Wednesday. The poster, shared on platform X, prominently featured Shivakumar with the message: “Efforts may fail, but prayers never do.”

The post triggered fresh speculation within political circles, with Shivakumar’s supporters interpreting it as a sign of hope. Sources close to Shivakumar claimed that Rahul Gandhi had privately assured him not to worry and indicated that he would be called to Delhi soon. Encouraged by this assurance, Shivakumar reportedly shared the post, the sources said.

Congress insiders suggested that the crucial meeting between the party’s top leadership and the Karnataka leaders is likely to be held towards the end of this month. The speculation gained momentum after visuals of Rahul Gandhi holding a private conversation with Shivakumar at the Mandakalli Airport in Mysuru went viral on social media.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, and several senior state Congress leaders had gone to see off Rahul Gandhi at the Mysuru airport on Tuesday as he departed for Delhi. The brief but closely watched interaction between Gandhi and Shivakumar sparked rumours of possible leadership changes in the state.

Responding to media queries at the Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, Shivakumar downplayed the speculation and said he would not publicly discuss his conversations with party leaders. “I am the KPCC President, and Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Is it appropriate to publicly discuss the fact that I welcomed him and met him as a matter of protocol?” he asked.

Accusing the media of creating unnecessary confusion, Shivakumar said no message had been conveyed or received regarding leadership changes. “Our leaders have told us that we are working well and to continue in the same manner. I briefed them about the programmes we are undertaking, including those related to NREGA, and we also discussed the politics unfolding within the state BJP,” he said.

Explaining his social media post, Shivakumar said the quote was not new and had been used by him earlier as well. “I am not saying this for the first time. I shared similar thoughts earlier while speaking at a programme organised by Vokkaliga industrialists,” he clarified.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had stated earlier this week that the party high command would call both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar whenever necessary. Shivakumar himself confirmed that he would be travelling to Delhi on January 16, further adding to expectations of a high-level meeting aimed at resolving the leadership issue in Karnataka.

Team Maverick.