Four ministers considered close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met over breakfast in Bengaluru on Tuesday amid speculation over a possible leadership change.
The ministers later travelled together to Tumakuru to attend an event marking three years of the Congress government in the state.
Ministers HC Mahadevappa, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and K Venkatesh met at public works minister Satish Jarkiholi’s residence and, are learnt to have discussed the evolving political situation.
The meeting came a day after senior Congress MLA KN Rajanna suggested that the party high command should consider home minister G Parameshwara for the chief minister’s post if it decided on a leadership change.
Zameer Ahmed Khan, however, rejected the suggestion that they had a secret meeting and said they decided to meet over breakfast before travelling together to Tumakuru.
Hours before the Tumakuru event, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar visited the Tirupati temple, triggering speculation that he may have prayed to make his political ascent smooth.
Parameshwara’s name has surfaced as a possible successor to Siddaramaiah. A senior Congress leader from the Dalit community, he has previously served as KPCC president and deputy CM. At the Tumakuru event, Siddaramaiah publicly acknowledged Parameshwara’s role in organising the programme.
The Congress high command has so far not clarified its position on the leadership question despite demands within the state unit for an early resolution. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have said they would abide by the high command’s decision, though their supporters continue to press their respective claims.
Party leaders said the successful mobilisation at the Tumakuru event could strengthen Parameshwara’s standing within the party.
Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader, has been pursuing his claim to the CM’s post since Siddaramaiah completed 30 months in office in November 2025.
Leaders in Siddaramaiah’s camp are also seen to be backing Dalit leaders such as Parameshwara and Jarkiholi in the event the AICC opts for a leadership change ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
The ministers later travelled together to Tumakuru to attend an event marking three years of the Congress government in the state.
Ministers HC Mahadevappa, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and K Venkatesh met at public works minister Satish Jarkiholi’s residence and, are learnt to have discussed the evolving political situation.
The meeting came a day after senior Congress MLA KN Rajanna suggested that the party high command should consider home minister G Parameshwara for the chief minister’s post if it decided on a leadership change.
Zameer Ahmed Khan, however, rejected the suggestion that they had a secret meeting and said they decided to meet over breakfast before travelling together to Tumakuru.
Hours before the Tumakuru event, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar visited the Tirupati temple, triggering speculation that he may have prayed to make his political ascent smooth.
Parameshwara’s name has surfaced as a possible successor to Siddaramaiah. A senior Congress leader from the Dalit community, he has previously served as KPCC president and deputy CM. At the Tumakuru event, Siddaramaiah publicly acknowledged Parameshwara’s role in organising the programme.
The Congress high command has so far not clarified its position on the leadership question despite demands within the state unit for an early resolution. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have said they would abide by the high command’s decision, though their supporters continue to press their respective claims.
Party leaders said the successful mobilisation at the Tumakuru event could strengthen Parameshwara’s standing within the party.
Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader, has been pursuing his claim to the CM’s post since Siddaramaiah completed 30 months in office in November 2025.
Leaders in Siddaramaiah’s camp are also seen to be backing Dalit leaders such as Parameshwara and Jarkiholi in the event the AICC opts for a leadership change ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
