Bengaluru, August 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah has triggered fresh political speculation after his remarks about the creation of a single Deputy Chief Minister post, with the comments being seen in some quarters as a renewed assertion of his influence within the Congress.
A video of Siddaramaiah’s remarks at a seminar on internal reservation on Tuesday went viral on social media on Wednesday.
During the interaction, Siddaramaiah referred to the decision to appoint G. Parameshwara as the sole Deputy Chief Minister despite an earlier proposal to have four or five such posts.
The exchange took place while Siddaramaiah was discussing his contribution to the cause of exploited communities. An audience member raised the issue of Karnataka not having a Scheduled Caste leader as Chief Minister and urged him to launch an agitation on the matter.
Siddaramaiah asked whether those present were aware of the issue and suggested that they should themselves initiate an agitation. When the audience asked him to lead it, he responded that he could not do so alone.
An audience member then suggested that Siddaramaiah had the stature of the party high command and could take the initiative. He dismissed the suggestion as mere rhetoric before asking a pointed question: “Who got the post of Deputy Chief Minister for G. Parameshwara?”
The audience responded that Siddaramaiah had ensured Parameshwara’s appointment. Siddaramaiah then recalled that there had been a proposal to create four or five Deputy Chief Minister posts and asked who had insisted that Parameshwara alone be appointed to the position.
The audience again credited Siddaramaiah with the decision, drawing applause.
Parameshwara, one of Karnataka’s prominent Dalit leaders, had previously expressed disappointment at not being chosen as Chief Minister but said he would abide by the decision of the Congress high command.
Siddaramaiah’s intervention has attracted attention against the backdrop of developments within the Karnataka Congress following his departure from the Chief Minister’s post. While he has maintained a relatively low profile since then, his remarks have prompted speculation about a more active political role in the days ahead.
His son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, has also been given the Urban Development portfolio in the Karnataka Cabinet.
Party insiders cited in the report believe Siddaramaiah could assert himself more strongly through AHINDA platforms, potentially creating unease for Chief Minister Shivakumar. AHINDA represents Alpasankhyataru (minorities), Hindulidavaru (backward classes) and Dalitaru (Dalits).
Following Shivakumar’s elevation as Chief Minister, several individuals appointed to key positions during Siddaramaiah’s tenure were reportedly removed from their posts.
The latest remarks have therefore added another layer to the continuing discussion over leadership equations and internal power dynamics within the Karnataka Congress.
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