Karnataka Power Struggle: Siddaramaiah Holds Position as DK Shivakumar Awaits His Turn

Bengaluru:

The power struggle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the Karnataka Chief Minister position intensified Friday morning as the Congress faces mounting pressure to resolve this lingering dispute from the 2023 election victory before it potentially destabilizes the government.

Here are the key developments in this significant political conflict:

According to Congress sources who spoke to NDTV, Siddaramaiah's position as Chief Minister 'is not currently in danger.' The party recognizes his strong political foundation – he is a prominent OBC leader with substantial support from Ahinda communities and over 100 of the party's 137 MLAs. This makes any leadership change nearly impossible without his agreement.

However, growing pressure from Shivakumar and his supporters, who recently petitioned party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi, may delay a planned cabinet reshuffle. Siddaramaiah had intended this reshuffle to demonstrate his commitment to remaining in the Chief Minister's office.

Within Congress circles, DKS's bid for leadership is considered unstable due to limited internal backing. Nevertheless, he enjoys support from the politically significant Vokkaliga community, whose votes he successfully redirected from Janata Dal Secular during the 2023 elections.

Yet the Vokkaliga backing, including public support from a prominent religious leader and warnings from the Mysuru Vokkaliga Association threatening protests if Siddaramaiah doesn't peacefully transfer power, appears insufficient at present for DKS to achieve his ambition.

In Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has cautioned senior leader Rahul Gandhi that this internal conflict must end before the winter Assembly session commences on December 8. Sources revealed to NDTV that Kharge fears a divided Congress would be vulnerable to BJP attacks and could potentially lose control in one of only three states where it currently holds complete power, further diminishing its political standing.

Kharge's warning may have come too late. A senior Karnataka BJP leader confirmed this morning their intention to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Congress government. Sunil Kumar told reporters, "Siddaramaiah is restricted to Mysuru and the Deputy Chief Minister (DKS) to Delhi. In this situation I spoke to R Ashok (the Leader of the Opposition) and to other leaders and said we should bring a no confidence motion."

The BJP has been consistently targeting Congress on this issue. The opposition party's state president BY Vijayendra told NDTV Thursday night that the ruling party had lost public trust: "We really don't know where we are heading... but one thing is sure. The Congress, despite having an absolute majority... It is unfortunate, what we are seeing..."

Recently, Siddaramaiah and DKS have exchanged subtle criticisms, each carefully measuring their words. However, tensions escalated Thursday when DKS referenced 'word power' being 'world power' – alluding to their power-sharing arrangement. The Chief Minister countered on X: "A 'word' is not power unless it betters the 'world' for the people," further asserting that Karnataka's people had given Congress a five-year mandate.

It appears the Congress must decide between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, either now or soon, unless they can negotiate a viable compromise. One potential solution might involve appointing an 'interim' Chief Minister, possibly Home Minister G Parameshwara.

Regardless, Siddaramaiah has clearly indicated he won't voluntarily resign, particularly as he approaches the record for longest-serving Karnataka Chief Minister. Meanwhile, DKS is currently seeking a definitive transition plan that would eventually make him Chief Minister.