Karnaytaka CM Controversy Still Ongoing

The battle for the Chief Minister’s post in Karnataka between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar is well-known. Recently, the Congress government in the state completed two-and-a-half years. This means Siddaramaiah has served as CM for the first half of the term. Supporters of D.K. Shivakumar insist that he should take over as Chief Minister for the remaining two-and-a-half years, as per the earlier agreement. His followers even went to Delhi and presented their demand before the high command.

However, Siddaramaiah reportedly told party leaders that he intends to continue as CM for the remaining term as well. Some reports also suggested that Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar agreed to this, putting an end to the controversy. But the latest information indicates that the issue is far from resolved. For the first time, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has publicly acknowledged that there is indeed a dispute within the Karnataka Congress regarding the CM post.

Admitting that there is a power struggle between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, Kharge assured that the party would resolve the issue soon. “Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I will together bring this issue to an end,” he told the media. He said he would not speak publicly in a way that harms the party but added that having aspirations is not wrong.

On the other hand, Siddaramaiah said that the high command’s decision would be final, and it is up to them to end the confusion. The crisis intensified after reports surfaced that, following the 2023 elections, there was an agreement to share the CM post for 2.5 years each. With that deadline approaching, MLAs from the D.K. Shivakumar camp visited Delhi to mount pressure on the high command.

One such MLA, Iqbal Hussain, confidently stated that D.K. Shivakumar would “100% become CM soon.” Responding cautiously, D.K. Shivakumar said a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Kharge would be held within 48 hours. Party sources suggest that, after this meeting, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar might be summoned to Delhi, possibly on Friday. The tug-of-war between the two leaders for the CM seat has been going on for several months.

Rahul Gandhi, who is currently abroad, has personally intervened to resolve the issue. He reportedly sent a message to D.K. Shivakumar saying, “Wait. I will call you.” This has made Karnataka politics even more intense. In this backdrop, reports say that D.K. Shivakumar is preparing to travel to Delhi once again to meet Sonia Gandhi.

It is also reported that D.K. Shivakumar held a secret late-night meeting on Tuesday with PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, possibly to iron out differences. Media reports claim the meeting took place at an undisclosed location. The secrecy has added more significance to the development amid growing speculation about leadership change.

The Congress high command is expected to put an end to the ongoing speculation soon. Senior party leaders say a decision on the leadership issue is likely before Parliament’s winter session begins on December 1. Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to meet soon to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah’s camp wants the status quo to be maintained until March and is pushing for cabinet expansion. However, Shivakumar’s supporters insist that he must be made the CM as per the agreement. After the Congress victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, there was an understanding that Siddaramaiah would serve as CM for the first 2.5 years, followed by D.K. Shivakumar for the last 2.5 years.

As per this agreement, Siddaramaiah’s tenure was supposed to end on November 20. But he is reportedly unwilling to step down, leading the Shivakumar camp to intensify pressure on the high command to install their leader as the next Chief Minister.