NEW DELHI: Veteran Congress leader Veerappa Moily has once again stirred the talks of change in Karnataka government leadership saying that no one can stop DK Shivakumar from becoming the chief minister and called it a “settled matter.”
Speaking at a Congress event in Karkala, Moily asserted that it was only a matter of time before Shivakumar assumes the top position, emphasising that Shivakumar had earned the role through his hard work and leadership.

Moily recalled his role in ensuring Shivakumar’s first MLA ticket and praised him for his contributions to the party, both in Karnataka and at the national level. He was confident that Shivakumar’s ascension to the CM’s post was inevitable, despite ongoing discussions within the party about leadership transitions.
Moily reassured Shivakumar, who was seated on the dais during the event, that no one could prevent him from becoming the chief minister, regardless of any criticism or speculation.
However, Shivakumar himself on Monday downplayed the remark.
“I don’t want to comment on it. I was in a workers’ meeting. I went to give the pledge to all the booth presidents as I have to travel all over the state as party president,” the deputy CM said.
He also dismissed reports suggesting he was moving closer to the BJP as “false propaganda” and reiterated his loyalty to the Congress, calling such claims a conspiracy against him. He emphasized that he was “born a Congressman” and had no intention of shifting allegiances.
Moily’s remarks sparked responses from Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge and Congress MLA Santosh Lad. Kharge asserted that no one, including Moily, had claimed Shivakumar would become CM “today or tomorrow.”
He stressed that the decision would ultimately lie with the high command. Lad echoed Kharge’s sentiment, asserting that the Congress party adheres to the high command’s decisions.
Political discussions about a leadership change have been ongoing since the Karnataka assembly elections in May 2023, with Shivakumar being a strong aspirant for the CM position.
While some reports suggest a “rotational chief minister” agreement, the party has never officially confirmed this.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge recently advised party members to focus on governance and stop discussing leadership transitions publicly.
(With agency inputs)