In a crucial political development, Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala held a series of one-on-one meetings with party MLAs in Bengaluru on Monday and Tuesday to assess the political climate, performance feedback, and concerns within the ruling party amid persistent buzz over a possible leadership reshuffle.
The closed-door meetings were held at a private hotel, where Surjewala met each legislator individually to discuss constituency issues, governance delivery, cabinet performance, and party coordination. This comes at a time when Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar are reportedly engaged in silent power balancing within the Congress.
Key Highlights Of Surjewala’s Meeting Exercise
| Discussion Focus | Details |
|---|---|
| Leadership change rumours | MLAs asked about their views on CM and Dy CM performance |
| Welfare scheme implementation | Review of Gruha Lakshmi, Yuva Nidhi, Shakti schemes |
| Factional coordination | Inputs on Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar teamwork |
| Constituency feedback | Local grievances, developmental demands |
| Upcoming elections | Preparations for panchayat and municipal polls |
Objective Behind Individual MLA Interactions
- Performance Audit:
Surjewala is preparing a detailed report for the Congress high command on the performance of ministers, MLAs, and overall government perception. - Factional Neutrality Assurance:
By meeting MLAs individually rather than in group camps, Surjewala avoided perceptions of aligning with either Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar factions. - Crisis Management:
The Congress leadership wants to pre-empt any internal dissent that could be exploited by the opposition BJP, especially after recent statements hinting at a possible mid-term leadership change.
Statements From Party Sources
A senior KPCC office bearer present at the venue said:
“This is a routine exercise to strengthen governance and party organisation. Surjewala ji wanted direct feedback without any pressure.”
Another MLA, requesting anonymity, noted:
“We conveyed constituency concerns. Leadership issues were not discussed in detail, but everyone knows that power-sharing is always a topic beneath the surface.”
Recent Triggers For Leadership Speculation
- Power-Sharing Formula Debate:
Before the May 2024 Assembly polls, there was speculation of an informal understanding where CM Siddaramaiah would lead for 2.5 years, followed by DK Shivakumar. However, no formal announcement was made. - Ministerial Performance Concerns:
Some MLAs have complained of slow approvals and lack of cabinet coordination in welfare and infrastructure delivery. - Opposition Narrative:
The BJP has been attacking Congress over “internal instability and power hunger” to regain lost ground before upcoming panchayat elections.
Recent Political Developments In Karnataka
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Congress review meetings | Multiple reviews held by Kharge, Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi last week |
| DK Shivakumar Delhi visit | Met with Kharge and top leadership, discussed political roadmap |
| Siddaramaiah Delhi visit | Held policy meetings with Finance and Home Ministries on grants |
| BJP campaigns | Rallies held targeting Congress’s five guarantee scheme performance |
Surjewala’s Leadership On Karnataka Affairs
As AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Surjewala has been credited with:
- Crafting the 2024 Assembly poll campaign narrative focusing on guarantees
- Balancing factional interests between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps
- Strengthening organisational networks through regular MLA and district unit reviews
Political analyst Prof. Sandeep Shastri noted:
“Surjewala’s meetings are part of standard Congress strategy to maintain control. However, they also serve as a subtle warning to MLAs and ministers that performance, discipline, and loyalty will be evaluated.”
Statements From Key Leaders
CM Siddaramaiah:
“The party conducts such reviews regularly. We are focused on development, not power struggles.”
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar:
“Surjewala ji has always ensured all leaders are heard. We welcome his initiatives to strengthen Congress in Karnataka.”
Current Governance Performance Metrics
| Parameter | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Gruha Lakshmi scheme | 78% beneficiaries enrolled; delayed DBT in 4 districts |
| Shakti scheme | Over 50 lakh women availed free bus travel in June |
| Yuva Nidhi scheme | 65% eligible graduates received first installment |
| Fiscal concerns | Subsidy burden crosses ₹58,000 crore mark |
| Public approval | CM Siddaramaiah: 59%, Dy CM Shivakumar: 55% (July 2025 C-Voter survey) |
Opposition BJP’s Reaction
Former CM Basavaraj Bommai criticised the Congress internal review exercise, stating:
“They are busy securing their chairs rather than ensuring development. Karnataka needs decisive governance, not daily faction management.”
Strategic Implications Of The Meetings
- Pre-Emptive Conflict Resolution:
By collecting individual feedback, Surjewala seeks to identify disgruntled MLAs before they become public dissenters. - Groundwork For Future Decisions:
If the Congress high command considers leadership rotation in coming months, these feedback sessions will guide their decision. - Reinforcing Party Discipline:
MLAs are reminded that the high command maintains continuous evaluation to prevent defection or rebellion risks.
What’s Next?
Surjewala is expected to submit his detailed report to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge this week, outlining:
- Ministerial performance rankings
- MLA satisfaction levels
- Implementation status of flagship schemes
- Political risks and opportunities in the coming panchayat elections
The Congress high command will subsequently hold a joint meeting with CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM DK Shivakumar, and top Karnataka ministers later this month to decide the future course of action and mid-term policy corrections.
Key Takeaways
- Randeep Surjewala held one-on-one meetings with Karnataka Congress MLAs to assess governance delivery, factional coordination, and political stability.
- The meetings come amid persistent rumours over a possible leadership change between CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar.
- The Congress high command aims to ensure performance-based governance and pre-empt internal conflicts before upcoming elections.
- While no immediate change is expected, the exercise strengthens Surjewala’s control over Karnataka affairs as the party seeks to maintain unity and public confidence.
Disclaimer
This article is for editorial and informational purposes only. Data are sourced from party statements, MLA interviews, and political analyst inputs. Readers are advised to refer to official Congress press releases for final decisions and announcements.
