Karnataka Leadership Crisis: Siddaramaiah Acknowledges "Confusion" as Congress High Command Faces Pressure to Intervene

Bengaluru:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has openly acknowledged the ongoing leadership tensions with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, confirming there exists "confusion" within the ruling Congress party that only the high command can resolve.

During a media interaction in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah stated: "MLAs have the freedom to go to Delhi. Let's see what their opinion is. Ultimately, it's the high command that decides. To put a full stop to this confusion, the high command has to take a decision."

The Chief Minister's candid remarks come as numerous Congress legislators and Shivakumar supporters travel to Delhi, reportedly seeking to express their discontent and advocate for cabinet positions or leadership changes.

In an unexpected development, DK Shivakumar joined Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in his car as Kharge was departing for the airport, where they engaged in a detailed discussion during the journey.

Later, speaking in Kanakapura, Shivakumar avoided public debate on the leadership issue, maintaining that such matters were confined to senior leadership circles. "I haven't asked for anything. The matter of leadership is between about five or six of us, and I'm not going to discuss this publicly," he remarked.

"I believe in my inner consciousness. I don't want to embarrass the party or make it seem weak. We are there because of the party and the workers."

Shivakumar also supported Siddaramaiah's assertion about presenting the next budget, expressing his satisfaction with this arrangement and acknowledging the Chief Minister's contributions to strengthening the party in Karnataka.

"Our aim together should be 2028 and 2029," he added, suggesting unity ahead of future Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

When questioned about legislators traveling to Delhi, Shivakumar distanced himself from these developments. "The MLAs must have gone to Delhi in the hope of becoming ministers. I haven't called them or spoken to them. I haven't even asked them why they went," he clarified.

With the Chief Minister publicly acknowledging internal discord and the state party president implying that central intervention is inevitable, pressure increases on the Congress high command to clarify its position.

The surge in political activity, including MLAs gathering in Delhi, closed-door meetings among top leaders, and contradictory public statements, has intensified the political drama.

Whether the high command will intervene soon remains uncertain, but presently, the Congress government in Karnataka faces the challenge of maintaining stability while managing internal ambitions.