Congress General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, alleged on Wednesday that the “decisively defeated and faction-ridden” Karnataka BJP, along with certain sections of the media, is running a “deliberate campaign” to malign the Congress-led state government.
Speaking after separate discussions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Surjewala posted on his official X handle: “Had a discussion with the Karnataka CM and Deputy CM, and they agreed that a decisively defeated and faction-ridden Karnataka BJP, along with a section of the media, is designedly running a maligning campaign against Karnataka and its Congress Government. The sole idea is to undermine the stellar achievements and the five Congress Govt Guarantees, which have become an outstanding model of inclusive development and distributive justice.”
Surjewala added that “needless statements of some Congress leaders and MLAs have added to the speculation. INC has sternly warned them against making any public statements on the issue of leadership or falling for the agenda being propagated by vested interests.”
He noted that the party leadership has taken cognisance of views expressed by various party functionaries, signalling efforts to maintain unity amid rumours of a “leadership upheaval” and a so-called “November Revolution” circulating in the media.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought to calm internal tensions, telling reporters in Chamarajanagar on Thursday: “I will complete my full five-year term as Chief Minister,” dismissing speculation about a leadership change as a “media-created narrative.”
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar reiterated his support for the party high command’s decision, saying he would “stand by” Siddaramaiah.
The Congress government in Karnataka has been grappling with visible internal frictio, a power-sharing dispute between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has led delegations of MLAs to lobby the central leadership in Delhi, while the BJP has accused the Congress of “horse-trading” amid the leadership speculation.
Surjewala’s comments come against the backdrop of the Congress government’s “five guarantees,” a set of welfare schemes widely promoted as significant achievements and being studied as a “model of development” by academic institutions. The party’s internal warning to its legislators underscores its attempt to project stability ahead of upcoming local-body elections and the broader 2028 state polls.
The Karnataka Congress has faced persistent debate over a possible leadership rotation, with some MLAs favouring a change to Shivakumar after the two-and-a-half-year mark of the current term. The party high command — led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge — has held discussions with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to address the dispute. Political analysts warn that prolonged infighting could weaken the party’s standing ahead of crucial electoral contests.