CM Leadership Tussle: Maddur MLA K.M. Uday Issues One-Week Deadline to High Command

By Sneha Gowda | Bangalore Mail

Bengaluru, February 24, 2026

The simmering leadership crisis within the Karnataka Congress has reached a boiling point as Maddur MLA Kadalur K.M. Uday has issued a stern one-week deadline to the party high command to provide clarity on the change in the Chief Minister’s post.

Uday, a known loyalist of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, stated that if the party leadership fails to resolve the confusion regarding the CM chair within the next seven days, he will lead a personal delegation to New Delhi to demand an immediate decision.

Growing Impatience in the Vokkaliga Camp

The MLA’s statement comes amidst intensifying rumors of a “power-sharing pact” reportedly brokered in May 2023, which many believe mandated a leadership transition at the mid-point of the government’s five-year term.

“The current ambiguity is hurting the party and the administration,” Uday told reporters. “We have waited patiently for the high command to honor the internal arrangements. If there is no clarity in a week, I will go to Delhi and speak directly to the top leadership about the necessity of a change in the Chief Ministership.”

High Stakes in Delhi

This ultimatum follows a series of recent trips to the national capital by several Congress legislators. Sources suggest that while the Siddaramaiah camp remains confident in his continuation—citing his popularity and the upcoming state budget—the Shivakumar faction is ramping up pressure to see their leader elevated.

Maddur MLA Uday also emphasized that the “confusion” is trickling down to the grassroots level, affecting party workers’ morale. His demand for clarity is seen as a strategic move to force the hands of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Gandhi family before the state enters its next legislative phase.

The Road Ahead

While the high command has previously urged state leaders to avoid public statements on the leadership issue, Uday’s deadline signals a shift from quiet lobbying to open defiance. Whether the party top brass will summon the MLA for a “reprimand” or provide the requested clarity remains to be seen.