Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has denied any discussions related to a change in leadership within the Karnataka government. Speaking to reporters after holding a series of meetings with party legislators and Members of Parliament in the state, Surjewala clarified that the visit was centered on performance review, policy implementation, and strengthening the party’s organizational structure.
The clarification comes amid growing speculation in political circles and media reports suggesting that internal disagreements were brewing within the Congress leadership in Karnataka, especially regarding the role of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. These reports claimed that discussions had taken place behind closed doors regarding a potential change in leadership, which could involve Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Addressing these rumors, Surjewala firmly stated that the party leadership has full confidence in the current administration. He emphasized that the Congress government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is working collectively to fulfill the promises made during the 2023 assembly elections. According to him, the meetings held with legislators were routine consultations meant to assess governance progress and address constituency-level issues.
Surjewala also pointed out that the Congress had a clear mandate in Karnataka and that the party remains committed to maintaining stability. He warned against attempts to create political instability through baseless reports and urged the media to avoid spreading misinformation. He said there is no ambiguity within the party regarding leadership and that all functionaries are focused on delivering good governance.
The Congress leader further added that such rumors tend to emerge whenever internal reviews are conducted, but the purpose of his visit was purely organizational. He also confirmed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are closely monitoring the functioning of the Karnataka government and are satisfied with its performance so far.
Political analysts view Surjewala’s clarification as an effort to send a strong message of unity within the party, especially as the opposition intensifies its criticism of the Karnataka government on issues like price rise and infrastructure delays. The Congress, having won a significant majority in the 2023 elections, is now attempting to maintain its momentum in the state while preparing for upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
In conclusion, the Congress party has denied any plans or ongoing discussions to replace the current leadership in Karnataka. With Randeep Surjewala’s statement, the party aims to dispel speculation and reinforce its narrative of unity, performance, and accountability in state governance. The leadership has reiterated its focus on public welfare and has called on its members to remain aligned with the party’s broader goals.
