BJP Mocks DK Shivakumar with "Chief Minister Chair Out of Stock" AI Video Amid Karnataka Leadership Tussle

The BJP's Karnataka unit recently shared an AI-generated video targeting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a fresh attack on Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar amid ongoing leadership tensions within the state's Congress government.

On its official X account, BJP's Karnataka unit posted an AI-generated video depicting Shivakumar attempting to purchase a "chief minister chair" online. In the clip, when Shivakumar, who serves as the state's Congress president, tries to add the chair to his cart, an "out of stock" message appears.

The BJP captioned the video simply: "DK Shivakumar right now."

Speculation about leadership changes has intensified as the Congress government reached the midpoint of its five-year term this month, an event some have dubbed the "November revolution." Shivakumar's supporters have been vocal in demanding his elevation to the Chief Minister position.

Following the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, there was significant competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister role. The Congress party eventually persuaded Shivakumar to accept the Deputy Chief Minister position.

At that time, some reports suggested a compromise had been reached through a "rotational chief minister formula," wherein Shivakumar would take over from Siddaramaiah after two-and-a-half years. However, both leaders and other party members strongly denied these reports.

Recently, Siddaramaiah stated he would continue in office for the full five-year term, subject to decisions from the Congress high command.

The BJP has intensified its criticism of both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah amid the alleged power struggle, regularly posting AI-generated videos on X mocking the Congress leaders.

Addressing the situation, Siddaramaiah recently placed responsibility on the party high command to resolve the confusion. When asked about legislators supporting Shivakumar traveling to Delhi, he remarked, "Let them go. MLAs have freedom. Let's see what opinion they give. Ultimately, the high command has to make the decision. We will abide by what the high command says."

Regarding appeals from legislators for the high command to settle the matter, Siddaramaiah added, "Whatever they want to say, let them say to the high command. Ultimately, to put a full stop to this confusion, the high command has to take the decision."

Shivakumar himself has been reluctant to discuss the matter publicly, stating there was a "secret deal" between "5-6 of us" in the party and that he trusts in his conscience.

"I don't know. I have not asked to make me the CM. It is a secret deal between five and six of us. I don't want to speak publicly on this. I believe in my conscience. We should work with our conscience. I don't want to cause embarrassment to the party in any way and weaken it. If the party is there, we are there. If karyakartas are there, we are there," he told reporters.

Responding to Siddaramaiah's statement about presenting the next budget, Shivakumar expressed support, saying, "I'm very happy. He had served as opposition leader in the past. He has also worked and built the party. We should all work together with the target of 2028 (assembly polls) and target 2029 (Lok Sabha election)."