'Grab The Chair Once You Get It': Shivakumar’s Quip Rekindles Leadership Change Buzz In Karnataka

Though delivered with humour by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, the comments have reignited whispers of an internal tussle for the chief minister’s post within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka.

Despite attempts by both leaders to downplay tensions, rumours of a 50:50 power-sharing formula between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have persisted since the Congress assumed office in May 2023.

Source : Facebook

In a remark packed with political innuendo, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has stirred the pot yet again, fuelling speculation over an alleged power-sharing deal with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking at the Kempegowda Jayanti event, Shivakumar said with a grin, “We are fighting for the chair… there are chairs here, please come and sit. It’s not easy to get the chair. So once you get it, you must grab it.”

Karnataka Congress Power Tussle 

Though delivered with humour and met with laughter from the audience, the comments have reignited whispers of an internal tussle for the chief minister’s post within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka.

Karnataka Congress power tussle back in buzz!

While CM Siddaramaiah dismisses any talk of leadership change or 50:50 formula, DCM DK Shivakumar drops a loaded line at Kempegowda Jayanti event:

“We are fighting for the chair… there are chairs here, please come and sit. It’s not… pic.twitter.com/8MuljsVhZF

— Pinky Rajpurohit 🇮🇳 (@Madrassan_Pinky) July 12, 2025

 

The timing of the remark is notable. It comes just days after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Congress national general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala in Delhi. Following the meeting, Siddaramaiah firmly dismissed rumours of any leadership change, calling such speculation baseless. Meanwhile, Shivakumar, who also returned from Delhi consultations, remained tight-lipped, saying, “The CM has already clarified the High Command’s stand.”

Despite attempts by both leaders to downplay tensions, rumours of a 50:50 power-sharing formula between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have persisted since the Congress assumed office in May 2023. The agreement, if it exists, has never been officially acknowledged by the party.

Meanwhile, Congress ministers in Karnataka on Friday rejected ongoing speculation about a potential power-sharing deal or leadership change, asserting that such discussions are no longer relevant. Their statements followed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s clear declaration that he intends to serve his full five-year term in office.