Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on 11 July firmly dismissed speculation that the Congress high command is considering a change in the state’s leadership. Speaking in New Delhi after separate meetings with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders, he told reporters the issue of replacing him “was not discussed at all,” insisting he will serve the full five-year term. Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar, whose supporters had been linked to the succession chatter, also played down the rift. He said he would make no comment on Siddaramaiah’s remarks and stressed that his responsibility was to strengthen the party organisation. Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, held one-to-one talks with several state legislators, but party sources said no formal proposal to alter either the chief ministership or the Pradesh Congress Committee leadership was taken up. Senior leaders have conveyed that fulfilling election promises, not reshuffles, is the current priority. The denials follow days of media reports that sections of the Karnataka Congress want Shivakumar elevated or a new state party chief appointed. Similar intra-party tussles in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have previously complicated governance, and analysts warn prolonged uncertainty could hamper the 14-month-old government as it prepares for local polls and a possible cabinet reshuffle later this year.