There is a political tug-of-war within Congress over the Chief Minister's seat in Karnataka. While CM Siddaramaiah is determined to complete his five-year tenure, DK Shivakumar is reminding everyone of the two-and-a-half-year power-sharing formula. As such, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar have arrived in Delhi. This marks the third time Congress's leaders will address this issue at the Delhi court. The looming question is whether Siddaramaiah will serve his full term, or will DK Shivakumar ascend to the top position?
After its victory in Karnataka's 2023 elections, Congress entrusted Siddaramaiah with the CM seat, while DK Shivakumar had to settle for the Deputy CM role. Siddaramaiah aims to etch his name as the longest-serving Chief Minister in Karnataka, but DK Shivakumar poses a political challenge.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is leveraging the Congress power-sharing formula to champion his own claim to the Chief Ministership, employing pressure politics. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have arrived in Delhi to participate in Congress's social justice program and meet the party high command. This is their third Delhi visit in recent times. The question remains: How will the Congress leadership resolve the Chief Ministerial dilemma?
Once Again Knocking on Delhi’s Doors
CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar are in Delhi to attend the Congress OBC front's event, ‘Participation Justice Conference’. Sources suggest they may meet with top leadership, especially Rahul Gandhi. During their last Delhi visit, Siddaramaiah did not have the chance to meet Rahul Gandhi.
Siddaramaiah remains firm in completing his tenure, while supporters of DK Shivakumar are actively demanding the Chief Minister's seat for him. On the previous visit, Siddaramaiah declared, 'I am the Chief Minister of Karnataka. There's no vacancy.' He also maintained that the decision of the Congress high command is final.
However, Shivakumar carefully remarked, 'Whatever the Chief Minister says is final. I am loyal to the party and leadership.' As both leaders meet with the party high command again in Delhi, discussions on power-sharing will undoubtedly take place. It is clear that the decision regarding the Karnataka CM seat rests in the hands of Delhi's leadership.
The Ball is in Congress High Command’s Court
After Congress's 2023 assembly win in Karnataka, political tensions had arisen between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. The party had pacified the situation by maintaining Shivakumar as Deputy CM and state president. Although a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing formula was mentioned, no official announcement was made by Congress.
Supporters of DK Shivakumar are leveraging the purported power-sharing formula to demand his appointment as Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah, however, is unwilling to cede the seat. DK Shivakumar has left the final decision to the Congress high command. He awaits his turn patiently, choosing not to oppose the party and Gandhi family, stating that they must proceed cautiously.
Is Siddaramaiah Benefiting from the Opportunity?
The Congress government in Karnataka will complete two and a half years in November. Under the power-sharing agreement, Siddaramaiah should relinquish the CM post, yet he aspires to break Devaraj Urs’s record as the longest-serving CM by January 2026. Thus, his five-year tenure remains a pressing ambition.
Siddaramaiah is eyeing a full five-year term in the context of Congress's evolving politics and focus on OBC politics. He acknowledges that with the upcoming Bihar elections, removing him due to OBC votes' significance is challenging. Recently, Congress appointed Siddaramaiah to the OBC advisory council, which he chaired in its inaugural meeting.
Moreover, Shivakumar is an influential leader from the Vokkaliga community and played a crucial role in Congress’s win in the Old Mysore region. The Vokkaliga community's alignment with BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has stirred the scenario. Siddaramaiah seems confident in his position, while DK Shivakumar’s patience is being tested by Congress leadership’s silence. It remains to be seen how the high command attempts to balance the political dynamics during their third visit to Delhi.
