Bengaluru, July 3 (UNI) BJP MP Dr Nishikant Dubey today claimed that a leadership change has already been finalised within the Karnataka Congress, alleging that DK Shivakumar will replace Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister by November this year.

In a statement posted on social media, Dr Dubey said, "The deal for Karnataka Congress has been finalised — in the month of November, DK Shivakumar will become the new Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah will be made to resign citing old age."

Taking a swipe at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, he further added, "Is it Mr Kharge’s turn next? Are preparations underway to repeat the ‘dhoti-pulling episode’ of Sitaram Kesari at various places?"

The “dhoti-kand” remark was a reference to the unceremonious removal of former Congress chief Sitaram Kesari in 1998, an episode often cited by BJP leaders to criticise the Gandhi family's style of functioning within the party.

There has been no official response yet from the Congress on Dr Dubey’s remarks. However, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala denied any imminent leadership change in Karnataka, where Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have long been seen as leading rival camps within the state unit.

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