Karnataka Congress Power Struggle: DK Shivakumar Loyalist Claims Assurance from Party President Kharge

Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar in Karnataka's 'Game of Thrones' over the Chief Minister position (File).

Bengaluru:

Congress' Karnataka situation intensified Friday when Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain – a vocal supporter of DK Shivakumar replacing Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister – claimed party president Mallikarjun Kharge had provided "assurance" that "everything will be fine".

In a phone conversation with NDTV's Reethu Rajpurohit, Hussain revealed that Kharge had gathered opinions from lawmakers supporting DKS and promised to discuss the matter with the party's core leadership.

"DK Shivakumar has worked tirelessly to bring the party to power in Karnataka. He deserves to be the Chief Minister... he has the potential, which is why we requested the high command and Siddaramaiah to allow DK Shivakumar an opportunity to become the new Chief Minister."

According to Hussain, Kharge requested a week to address the situation: "...he wanted to consult with all the high command about these matters. They need some time. We remain hopeful we will receive justice."

Neither the Congress party nor Kharge have issued any statement on this matter.

Speaking about DKS' qualifications for chief ministership, Hussain praised his "potential" before seemingly applying pressure on the current Chief Minister by stating, "We have expectations from Siddaramaiah sir... we have very good hope because everyone knows he is a very good, honest, and sincere person."

The Congress' Karnataka MLA, Iqbal Hussain, spoke exclusively to NDTV (File).

"And he honors his commitments. He will understand the situation and respect it," Hussain told NDTV, echoing earlier statements made by DKS' younger brother, DK Suresh.

Suresh had previously stated that the Chief Minister 'is not someone who would go back on his word'.

Hussain was part of a delegation of Karnataka lawmakers, including Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, who traveled to Delhi late Thursday to meet Congress leadership.

READ | Karnataka Chief Minister Battle Again? MLAs From DK Shivakumar Camp In Delhi

At least a dozen more legislators are expected today, indicating battle lines are being drawn for another round of leadership contestation between Congress' two senior Karnataka figures.

From the opposing faction supporting Siddaramaiah, which includes Home Minister G Parameshwara and Public Works Minister Satish Jarikholi, there have been emphatic references to the letter from Congress headquarters confirming Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister following the 2023 election victory.

Their argument maintains that the letter explicitly states Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term.

When questioned about this assertion, Hussain offered a diplomatic response to NDTV: "That is what... we have certain discipline in the Congress and we must follow the high command's directives."

"But," he concluded, "We hope justice will prevail..."

The DKS camp's Delhi visit today holds significance because November 20 (Thursday) marked the halfway point of Siddaramaiah's five-year tenure. Persistent rumors – never officially denied by the party – suggest an 'agreement' for Siddaramaiah to step aside for DKS at this juncture.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (File).

Siddaramaiah has consistently rejected such claims and repeatedly affirmed he will complete his term. He reiterated this position this week following DK Suresh's comments, stating, "...my authority hasn't diminished... it has only strengthened. It will continue to remain so. I won't address what DK Suresh said, but the people voted for us and we will focus on fulfilling our promises."

Nevertheless, speculation about a power-sharing arrangement persists, fueling talk of a 'November revolution' – a potential leadership transition in the southern state, one of only three where Congress governs independently.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar (File)

The entire dispute appeared settled in June when Congress troubleshooter Randeep Surjewala was dispatched to Bengaluru. Surjewala, who negotiated the 2023 agreement, clearly stated the party had no intention to change its Karnataka leadership.

READ | "Answer Is No": Congress Not Considering Karnataka Chief Minister Change

However, DKS' supporters made equally clear, despite their leader publicly asking them to stand down, that they would persist in demanding leadership change. Hussain, notably one of Shivakumar's most vocal advocates, claimed in July that 100 MLAs would support Shivakumar.

Those statements came at a sensitive moment for a governing party attempting to resolve internal conflicts. Shivakumar, possibly at the urging of Congress central leadership, dismissed rumors of division.

READ | "No One Can Be Permanent": DKS Hints At Quitting Big Congress Post

Against this backdrop of political maneuvering, DKS' recent remarks about resigning as the party's state unit president raised speculation. Siddaramaiah's faction has consistently maintained that Shivakumar cannot become Chief Minister while holding that position. Stepping down would effectively counter that argument.