In a candid admission that has sent ripples through Karnataka’s political corridors, Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda from Mandya declared on Monday that DK Shivakumar is poised to succeed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when “the time and circumstances” align. Speaking to reporters, Gowda asserted, “138 MLAs are in favour of DK Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah. When the time comes, he will also become CM. If the time and the circumstances come together, it will be good. He must become CM; and he will.”
Mandya, Karnataka: Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda says, “DK Shivakumar will become CM when the time comes. 138 MLAs are in favour of DK Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah. When the time comes, he will also become CM. If the time and the circumstances come together, it will be good. He… pic.twitter.com/UmKQhtp3xE
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025
Parallels with Maharashtra’s Power Play
The remark immediately drew comparisons with Maharashtra’s recent leadership shuffle—where internal party consensus paved the way for a change in chief ministership without a general election. Observers note that Karnataka’s Congress, like its Maharashtra counterpart, has multiple strong contenders for the top post, making the transition a matter of internal arithmetic rather than public mandate.
Factional Dynamics Within Karnataka Congress
DK Shivakumar, currently serving as Karnataka’s Water Resources Minister and Congress state president, commands significant influence within the party. His close ties with the high command in New Delhi and demonstrated track record in organizational management have bolstered his claim. However, Siddaramaiah, a veteran leader, retains strong grassroots support, and his backers insist that he remains their first choice until the end of his term.
MLA Gowda’s public endorsement of Shivakumar underscores the growing momentum behind a potential mid-term leadership change. Whether this translates into a smooth transition will depend on negotiations within the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and assurances from the central leadership.
As the state braces for key legislative sessions and budgetary decisions, the prospect of a Shivakumar-CM narrative adds a new layer of intrigue to Karnataka’s political landscape.
