Karnataka MLA Claims DKS Will Become CM After Winter Session

Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain sparked fresh leadership chatter on Friday by claiming DK Shivakumar would take over as chief minister once the ongoing winter session in Belagavi concludes. He told reporters at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha that Shivakumar would be CM after the session, arguing the party leadership would make the final call and that nobody is above the Congress’ top brass. He stressed the decision would not hinge on numbers and that discipline from MLAs was essential.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah’s camp pushed back. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the chief minister’s son and a party MLC, denied that any leadership change was being considered. The dispute underscored a power dynamic within the ruling coalition as speculation swirled.

At the assembly, floor maneuvers and light jabs by BJP members added to the intrigue. There were jokes about Siddaramaiah’s chair being ‘shaky,’ which he dismissed with a calm quip that his chair was strong and steady, and that anyone would seek help if they were uncomfortable addressing the House.

Behind the scenes, DKS hosted a late-night dinner for more than 30 Congress MLAs and ministers in Belagavi, a gathering that rekindled talk of leadership transitions. The CM’s bloc held a separate dinner earlier, fueling the sense that back-channel discussions about succession were intensifying. Shivakumar later described the meals as ‘no other politics,’ insisting the dinners were personal rather than political.

Even as party leaders publicly downplay changes, the episodes point to ongoing jockeying within the Congress in Karnataka. With the high command yet to announce any shifts, observers say a decision could hinge on how MLAs line up and who can maintain discipline while guiding the party through local elections and a challenging winter session.

Cover image source: After Sidda-DKS breakfast bonhomie, some dinner discord in Karnataka? Congress mystery persists 🔗

#KarnatakaPolitics #DKShivakumar #Belagavi