Karnataka Congress MLA's Controversial Rape Reference Intensifies Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Leadership Battle

Karnataka Congress Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain (File).

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Congress lawmaker Iqbal Hussain sparked controversy on Thursday after using the Hindi word for 'rape' – 'balatkaar' – in a poorly-worded comment regarding the ongoing leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Hussain, a public supporter of Shivakumar's leadership bid, stated, "'Hum kiya toh balatkaar... voh kiya toh chamatkaar'," which translates to "If we do it, it is 'rape'... if they do it, it is magic."

His controversial remark came in response to a statement made earlier by Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister's son.

Yathindra had effectively dismissed the faction supporting DKS, stating that the party's core leadership had clarified there would be no change in the chief minister position at present.

"DK Shivakumar made it clear he aspires to the chief minister's post. In response, the party clarified 'this is not the appropriate time' and made it clear there will be no change (now)."

"The matter ends here.. there is no tussle anymore," Yathindra Siddaramaiah said, accusing the opposition BJP of "spreading rumors and creating perceptions."

In response, Hussain – who received a show-cause notice from DKS in July in what appeared to be a party-orchestrated move to project unity – complained, "If we talk about leadership they issue a notice..." but also cautioned, "... there is discipline in the Congress. No one can override the high command."

Hussain also criticized Yathindra Siddaramaiah, saying, "He should understand the circumstances before commenting. We should all know our positions."

The leadership conflict in Karnataka – which has been simmering since the Congress won the 2023 election and selected Siddaramaiah over DKS for the top position – erupted dramatically twice this year.

The first incident occurred in June, prompting the party to dispatch senior leader Randeep Surjewala to Bengaluru to negotiate a fragile peace. The second eruption happened last month when lawmakers supporting DKS angrily pointed to a widely rumored agreement suggesting Siddaramaiah and DKS would equally share the five-year term.

The supposed transition point passed in mid-November, and as the two factions continued their power struggle, the party intervened by arranging breakfast meetings between the leaders twice within three days to present at least the appearance of unity.

Siddaramaiah (L) and DK Shivakumar's 'power breakfast' No 2.

After their second meeting, where they shared idli and country-style chicken curry at DKS' residence, Siddaramaiah emphasized his intention to continue unless the party directed otherwise.

"Both of us will accept the decision taken by the party, especially Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge," he stated. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, NDTV understands that a transition plan is being developed to transfer power from Siddaramaiah to DKS.

The current dispute appears to center on 'when will power be transferred'.

Sources indicate that Siddaramaiah's proposal involves completing his term and then supporting DKS – an attractive prospect for the latter given his standing in the politically influential Ahinda community - in the 2028 election. However, DKS' camp is pushing for the transition to occur by mid-2026.

The opposition BJP, meanwhile, is adopting a wait-and-watch approach.

There has been speculation about proposing a no-confidence vote against the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, but the BJP currently lacks sufficient numbers to challenge the ruling party.

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