After a day-long discussion with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in the national capital on Tuesday (May 26, 2026), the Congress high command was unable to arrive at a consensus on a possible leadership change in Karnataka.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, and AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala held several rounds of discussions with the two senior State leaders during the day.

The party leadership appears to have failed to reach a consensus on a possible Cabinet reshuffle in the State too, sources said.

Only speculation, no reality

However, Mr. Venugopal told the media, “Today’s discussions concentrated on the Rajya Sabha and Karnataka Legislative Council candidates in Karnataka. Whatever speculation you people are doing remains speculation only. There is no reality in it at all.”

Mr. Venugopal did not take any questions from the media. Mr. Shivakumar, who appeared subdued after the meeting, also declined to speak to reporters.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, however, said discussions were held regarding the selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections scheduled to be held on June 18.

No hasty decisions

After learning bitter lessons from the recent Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, party sources said the Congress central leadership was likely to take more time before making any firm decision on three key issues — leadership change, a Cabinet reshuffle, and the appointment of a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. The KPCC chief post has been held by Mr. Shivakumar for the past six years.

While the Chief Minister has consistently maintained that he is keen on a Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Shivakumar has made multiple visits to Delhi in recent months to lobby for the Chief Minister’s position.