BJP Questions Congress Over ‘High Command’ Amid Karnataka Leadership Buzz

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a sharp attack on the Congress party after its president Mallikarjun Kharge deflected questions on a possible leadership change in Karnataka, saying the matter lies with the “party high command.”

Kharge’s statement—“It is in the hands of the high command”—sparked fresh political fire, as BJP MP Tejasvi Surya questioned the identity of this “unseen, unheard” authority within Congress. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Surya wrote, “The Congress High Command is like a ghost. It is unseen, unheard, but always felt. Even the Congress President whispers its name and says it’s not him. So eerie!”

The remarks came amid growing speculation that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar may replace Siddaramaiah as Karnataka’s Chief Minister. Factional tensions have escalated within the Congress state unit, despite repeated warnings from the central leadership against public dissent.

Kharge urged party members not to “create problems unnecessarily,” insisting that only the high command holds the authority to decide on leadership changes. However, BJP leaders argue that Kharge’s deflection reveals deeper confusion within the Congress structure.

In what appears to be a damage-control effort, Congress Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has reportedly arrived in Bengaluru to meet over 100 MLAs individually to assess the situation and contain internal rifts.

The BJP continues to question whether real power in Congress lies with elected leaders or behind-the-scenes decision-makers.