Following the poor performance in the Bihar assembly elections, the Congress leadership is witnessing another political tumult in Karnataka regarding the Chief Minister's chair. The discourse between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has now reached from Bengaluru to Delhi, with the reins of power in Karnataka being weaved in the Delhi corridors.
On Thursday, close allies of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah declared his intention to remain as the Chief Minister by claiming to present the budget next year. Thus, the battle for the Karnataka Chief Minister's post has evolved into Siddaramaiah vs. DK Shivakumar.
When Congress emerged victorious in the 2023 Karnataka elections, the Chief Minister's post was handed to Siddaramaiah, while DK Shivakumar had to be satisfied with the Deputy CM position. The formula for power-sharing for two and a half years has seen DK Shivakumar's supporters beginning to exert pressure on the party leadership.
The Supporters of Shivakumar in Delhi
As Siddaramaiah accomplished two and a half years as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Thursday, three legislators and a minister, believed to be close to Shivakumar, reached Delhi. These supporters met with Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. The photos and videos of this meeting that emerged intensified discussions of who will hold the Chief Minister's position.
Close allies of Shivakumar met Kharge at a time when Siddaramaiah had already completed his term of two and a half years. This meeting heightened speculations of a potential leadership change in Karnataka. Shivakumar's camp made a robust claim to the Chief Ministerial post by meeting Kharge. However, DK Shivakumar stated that he was unaware of any such meetings in Delhi involving his allies.
Siddaramaiah Expresses His Intent
As Congress completes two years and six months in power in Karnataka, speculations regarding leadership change have been arising. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Thursday, dismissed all talks by asserting that he will present the budget next year.
He stated that the talks of 'November Revolution' are mere media fabrications. There is no revolution or confusion in Karnataka. We have been given a mandate for five years, and we will fulfill it. Thus, Siddaramaiah has made a robust claim to continue as CM for the full five-year term.
The Roadblock of Shivakumar in Siddaramaiah's Path
Siddaramaiah aims to set a record by being the longest-serving Chief Minister in Karnataka, yet DK Shivakumar presents a political hurdle in this path. If Siddaramaiah remains CM until January 2026, he will break Devaraja Urs' record. This ambition drives Siddaramaiah’s five-year tenure claim, while Shivakumar makes calculated moves, understanding the opportune moment.
While Siddaramaiah is unwilling to relinquish the chair, DK Shivakumar has left the decision to the Congress high command. Shivakumar patiently awaits his turn and avoids taking any stand against the party or the Gandhi family, meticulously reiterating that success depends on the high command’s decision. Now that Siddaramaiah's term as Chief Minister has ended, DK's supporters have begun lobbying for him politically.
The Strength of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar
Siddaramaiah is eying to hold the Chief Minister’s chair for a total of five years with a focus on the evolving politics of Congress and the OBC electorate. CM Siddaramaiah is aware that the necessity of OBC votes makes it challenging for Congress to remove him. Recently, Congress appointed Siddaramaiah to the party's OBC advisory council. Besides, he holds a significant grip over Karnataka’s OBC community and leads in popularity over other party leaders.
Conversely, Shivakumar is a prominent leader of the Vokkaliga community and played an essential role in Congress's success in the old Mysore region. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Vokkaliga community tended to favor the BJP. It's believed this is why Siddaramaiah feels secure in his position, while DK Shivakumar is unsettled by the Congress leadership's silence. DK possesses his political influence and is considered a strong organizational leader and crisis manager of Congress.
After completing Siddaramaiah’s two-and-a-half-year term, DK Shivakumar stated at a separate party event, 'I cannot remain permanently in this position (party president). It has been five and a half years, and by March, it will be six.'
In a conversation with journalists, he expressed, “I am trying to set an example. No one can be permanent. Amid chants of ‘future Chief Minister’ from his supporters, he reassured them, saying, 'Don't worry; I am next in line.' We now await his turn.
