• Source:JND

Karnataka Power Tussle: Siddaramaiah, a Congress stalwart in Karnataka, completed his half tenure (2.5 years) as the chief minister of the state exactly 6 months ago. Since he passed the halfway mark in his second inning as CM, unrest grew in DK Shivakumar's camp within the party. Shivakumar, who is currently Siddaramaiah's deputy and Karnataka Congress president, has been waiting for a call from Delhi for his coronation. DK's supporters claim that their leader was promised the rotational CM formula after 2.5 years, which Siddaramaiah rejected publicly.

There is no count of how many times the power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Siddaramaiah made news over the last 6 months. Every time it looked like Congress would go for a power transaction, embracing generational change, but something eerily went against Shivakumar, and the wait continued.

On Tuesday, it was once again expected that Congress may take a final call on ending the power tussle, but as of now, there was no sign of any change of leadership by the high command of the party. Both leaders have been called to Delhi, triggering DK's supporters' emotions.

ALSO READ: 'Nataka' Moves To Delhi As Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar Meet Congress Top Brass; Will Karnataka CM Finally Change?

Congress Leaders In A Huddle In Delhi

Meanwhile, as speculation mounted over a leadership change in Karnataka, the top Congress brass on Tuesday met leaders from the state, including Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar, to discuss upcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha and legislative council. Though Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had convened a meeting to decide candidates for the two elections, the point of interest remained the protracted leadership tussle in Karnataka and whether there would be any resolution. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Surjewala and AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal were present in the meeting.

Eerie Silence On Leadership Change In Karnataka

At the core of the leadership tangle in the southern state is Shivakumar's demand that he be elevated to the chief minister's post in accordance with a promise made to him during state assembly elections in 2023. Asked about any possible leadership change, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar chose to stay silent.

ALSO READ: Cabinet Reshuffle Or Power Shift? Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah To Meet Kharge, Rahul Gandhi In Delhi

Factors That Go Against Shivakumar

Caste Factor: DK's popularity increased in the last couple of years, but Siddaramaiah holds a strong influence over the Minority, Backwards Classes, and Dalit communities. Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward community, which makes him an ideal choice for the CM post. While Siddaramaiah belongs to the Kuruba Gowda community, an Other Backwards Class (OBC), Shivakumar hails from the Vokkaliga community, which is a socially and economically dominant agrarian caste in Karnataka.

Numbers: Numbers matter most in a democracy. Siddaramaiah outnumbers Shivakumar as he commands the support of over 100 of the 136 MLAs.

ALSO READ: Karnataka CM Change Buzz Gains Pace Again As Congress Top Brass Summons Siddaramaiah To Delhi

Experience: Compared to Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar has no experience running a government as chief minister. DK is considered a strong organisational leader and under his leadership, Congress returned to power, defeating BJP's strongman BS Yediyurappa, but after the victory, the Congress high command batted for experience over popularity.

Stability Factor: The Congress high command wants to maintain stability before any change, as it fears that a mid-term CM change could make the government appear unstable. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge prioritise party unity ahead of the 2028 elections.

Allegations Against DK: Shivakumar is an accused in the Congress-owned National Herald newspaper case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been probing a money laundering case against him and his brother, DK Suresh.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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