Rahul Refuses to Meet Siddaramaiah, Congress Signals Leadership Shift in Karnataka?

In a move that has stirred Karnataka’s political circles, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself admitted that he had sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Delhi, but received no confirmation. The admission has sparked speculation of internal rifts and a possible change in leadership. BJP wasted no time calling it a public humiliation and drawing historical parallels with Rajiv Gandhi’s unceremonious sacking of former CM Veerendra Patil. The Congress high command’s cold shoulder toward a sitting CM has become the latest flashpoint, revealing cracks within the party.

Leadership Change Speculation Resurfaces

The lack of appointment has reignited whispers of a power-sharing agreement within the Karnataka Congress, especially between Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar. While Siddaramaiah has repeatedly denied that any discussion on leadership change has taken place, political observers believe his solo trip to Delhi and return without meeting Rahul Gandhi only adds fuel to the speculation.

Shivakumar, for his part, remained cryptic. “It is not good to speak again and again,” he said when asked about Siddaramaiah’s position on the matter. Though both leaders are publicly trying to project unity, the undercurrent of rivalry remains evident.

Siddaramaiah’s Political Longevity in Question

The Congress high command’s silence and Rahul Gandhi’s refusal to meet Siddaramaiah has political implications. Siddaramaiah has tried to dispel leadership change rumours by asserting that he would complete his five-year tenure, but the absence of support from central leadership says otherwise.

Congress MLAs have been called for one-on-one meetings by party in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala. Though he denied any intent to discuss leadership, the timing is suspicious. The leadership vacuum is widening, with many believing DK Shivakumar is ready to take over by the end of the year.

BJP Slams Congress, Recalls Veerendra Patil Incident

BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya took to social media to lambast the Congress leadership. “Humiliation in Delhi for Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah!” he posted, adding that the CM returned from Delhi without even meeting Rahul Gandhi. Malviya compared the incident to the infamous 1990 sacking of Veerendra Patil by Rajiv Gandhi during communal tensions in Karnataka.

“History remembers how Rajiv Gandhi unceremoniously sacked an ailing Veerendra Patil. Now a weakened Siddaramaiah is forced to hide behind the very man plotting against him DK Shivakumar,” Malviya added. The BJP’s attack was clearly aimed at reviving the narrative that the Gandhis treat Karnataka leaders with disdain.

Congress Caught in Its Own Web of Promises

Adding to the confusion is Congress’ past promise to lead an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister regarding a separate issue on BC reservations. Critics now question why that process was abandoned if the party could simply act through ordinances. This reflects a deeper issue within Congress: inconsistent leadership and unfulfilled promises.

MLC Ch Naveen, who was suspended from the party earlier this year for opposing the state’s BC census, also took a swipe at the Congress high command. He questioned the necessity of passing legislation and proposing delegations if the end goal was to issue an ordinance unilaterally.

Congress Sends a Message : But What Is It?

Whether intentional or not, Rahul Gandhi’s failure to meet Siddaramaiah has sent shockwaves through Karnataka politics. Is this part of a larger plan to transition power quietly to DK Shivakumar, or merely a case of scheduling conflicts? Either way, the Congress seems to be sending a message—unspoken but loud. And for the BJP, it’s a perfect opportunity to question the Gandhis’ pattern of humiliating regional leaders. If history is any indication, the Congress high command’s arrogance may once again be its undoing in Karnataka.