Karnataka Political Crisis: BJP Predicts Congress Split as Siddaramaiah-DKS Power Struggle Intensifies

Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra predicted a split in the Congress Thursday evening – a Siddaramaiah faction vs a DK Shivakumar faction – as the chief ministerial tug-of-war between the two threatens the stability of the party's only state government in South India.

The son of former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, Vijayendra criticized the Congress over the growing confusion that has resulted in lawmakers supporting DKS rushing to Delhi to petition the party leadership, while those backing Siddaramaiah remain on alert to do the same.

"We really don't know where we are heading, but one thing is certain. Despite having an absolute majority, the Congress is in a truly unfortunate state," he told NDTV.

"People are very dissatisfied with the current Congress government. Looking at the minister's statement – what Shivakumar said about 'word power is world power' – he is clearly indicating that Siddaramaiah must adhere to whatever was promised. This is the demand DK Shivakumar is making. Let us see what happens..."

The Congress' leadership struggle in Karnataka intensified today.

The Siddaramaiah-DKS feud emerged following the Congress' electoral victory in 2023. The party selected the former as its new chief minister, a position the latter believed he deserved after orchestrating the victory.

Instead, DKS was appointed deputy and allowed to maintain his position as the party's state unit president; the Congress' 'one man, one post' rule was relaxed to accommodate this arrangement. However, there was also discussion of an 'agreement' – with DKS making a not-so-cryptic remark about a "secret deal between five or six of us" – suggesting Siddaramaiah would step down halfway through the five-year term.

That midway point passed last week. Since then, lawmakers supporting DKS have been increasing pressure on the party to implement that switch. DKS himself has made no secret of his ambition for the chief ministerial position; he appeared to emphasize this last week by suggesting he might resign as Karnataka Congress president.

Doing so would counter further criticism about violating the 'one man, one post' rule.

On Wednesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that discussions between himself and the Gandhis, Sonia and Rahul, would "resolve" the issue.