Discussions underway to appoint new KPCC chief, says Kharge

Following major political developments in Karnataka where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has resigned, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who cleared the deck for Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar to take over the top post, said on Sunday, May 31, 2026, that talks are actively going on to find a successor to the position of the State party chief.

The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, while speaking to media representatives at Kalaburagi Airport, addressed key questions regarding the formation of a new cabinet and appointment of a new State unit chief and rumors of multiple Deputy Prime Minister posts.

​“Naturally, the replacement of the KPCC chairman must happen now. We need to evaluate good candidates and look at the right combination to make this appointment. We need a dynamic leader for the future of the party and strengthening its organization. We have only about 24 months left in the current legislative session and the new incoming leader must be a person who can work quickly, promote collective unity and take everyone on board. At the same time, there must be a strong team of party workers and leaders who can cooperate and work. The Congress chairman, together with the new chief, will consider all these aspects and discuss the matter.” “We are discussing,” he said.

​When asked about the configuration of the new State cabinet and speculations on the creation of additional Deputy Chief Minister positions to balance regional and social equations, Mr. Kharge clarified that the high command is yet to receive a formal plan from the State leadership.

​“We have not yet received a formal proposal. Once a concrete proposal is submitted, decisions will be made on how many Ministers should be appointed, how many Deputy Prime Ministers are required, or whether the appointments of heads to important State institutions will be simultaneous.”

Mr. Kharge noted that while internal discussions continue, a clearer picture is expected to emerge only after Wednesday, June 3, 2026, when Mr. Shivakumar is scheduled to be sworn in as Prime Minister.

Stating that the restructuring of the government may not happen in one go, Kharge gave a hint of a multi-stage inauguration process.

​“We are waiting as we have not received a formal proposal stating that initially eight or 10 Ministers will be sworn in. Once that comes, the plan is to conduct the inaugurations in phases, complete one phase now and then take a break of maybe 15 days to a month before finalizing the next batch of Ministers. That is the thought process for now,” Mr. Kharge said.