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Bengaluru: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that there was no plan to change the Chief Minister of Karnataka as of now and that the leadership issue would be resolved soon. His statement has come at a time when there is speculation of a change in the party and a cabinet reshuffle.

Reshuffle speculation in Karnataka cabinet

There are speculations that the Karnataka government might hold the cabinet reshuffle after May 4 after the Assembly poll and bypoll results are announced. It may be noted that supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been urging for his elevation as CM as per the rumoured power-sharing agreement with CM Siddaramaiah after the party won 2023 Assembly polls.

“You (media), he (Parameshwara) and people at the top say that it is better if I become (the chief minister). But, more than fate, as per my ideology and as per my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi takes decisions regarding me,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying when asked about Home Minister G Parameshwara’s statement.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “But that question does not arise now. There is already a Chief Minister here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and I, together, have to make any decision in the direction of a change, it will take some time. Let’s wait and see.”

What Parameshwara said on Wednesday?

Earlier, senior Congress leader Parameshwara said that everyone in the Congress party will welcome Kharge becoming the chief minister of Karnataka. The leadership issue within the party and the state had increased after the ruling Congress completed half of its term on November 20 last year.

When asked about JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s statement that nearly 40 Congress MLAs going to Delhi next month, amid speculations, Kharge said, “I don’t know, ask him for details.”