Karnataka’s CM-suspense drama does not seem to be dying anytime soon as now, some Congress workers offered Puja at a temple praying that DK Shivakumar be appointed as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. This comes despite CM Siddaramaiah saying that he would continue to be the CM for the full tenure. And amid this, a third name has surfaced for the top seat in the state.
Karnataka MLAs and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reached Delhi to meet the high command, reportedly to claim the CM seat. When the Karnataka government was formed, it was reportedly agreed that DKS would become CM after the government completes 2.5 years, which is being referred to by some as the “November revolution”.
This week, the government completed half tenure and thus began the meetings. Siddaramaiah, in Karnataka, said that nothing is going to be changed.
A third name for Karnataka CM?
The DKS vs Siddaramaiah CM suspense has added another name on the list – state home minister G Parameshwara. On Sunday, he hinted at the possibility on the backdrop of demands of a “Dalit CM” in the state. However, he tried to downplay the speculation saying that no one from Congress high command has reached out to the party leaders.
He said that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge will decide on leadership change, if there is a need, after discussing with top party leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently abroad, reported PTI.
“I’m always in the race, it is not a big issue. I was the Pradesh Congress Committee President in 2013, we brought the Congress government to power (in 2013 Assembly polls). I never claimed credit for it solely. I lost in that poll. Had I won, what would have happened, I don’t know,” Parameshwara said when asked if he was in the CM race.
VIDEO | Karnataka Congress MLA Srinivas commenting on the escalating leadership tussle within the Karnataka Congress says, "DK Shivakumar has worked for the party sincerely, and he should become CM."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 23, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/1KnSLV0AkK
He added, “I was in the race then, naturally, as there is a convention in the Congress party where the PCC president is often given a chance (to become CM), but it is not followed in some situations….”
When asked if he would approach the high command with his name, he said such a situation has not arisen so far. On repeated meetings of ministers from SC/ST community involving him, H C Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi and others, Parameshwara said, “there is demand for a Dalit to become CM for long.” ” Will it happen, just because we met,” he asked.
“AICC President is from Karnataka. No one probably knows the state politics better than him. He will decide, no one needs to tell him,” he said on the question of CM change.
BJP takes jibe at Congress govt
Amid the chaos, BJP workers in Karnataka have begun taking jibe at the Congress government, with a twist of parrot and fortune-telling.
A video has surfaced now where BJP workers were seen asking the fortune-teller’s parrot to predict whether the state would perform better if Siddaramaiah continued to be Chief Minister or if Shivakumar took over. The parrot then picked a card depicting chambu, which is a small metal vessel used to store water.
When asked if Shivakumar would become the CM, the bird chose a card showing flowers.
The two sides have been engaged in a tug-of-war over who would lead Karnataka. The MLAs have been meeting the high command in the national capital and DKS said, “Any body can meet the high command.”