Power Struggle in Karnataka: Shivakumar Invokes Sonia Gandhi's Sacrifice Amid Leadership Crisis

The tension between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar over Karnataka's Chief Minister position has escalated once again, with Shivakumar making a pointed reference to Sonia Gandhi's historical sacrifice of power during a Bengaluru event on Friday.

Shivakumar highlighted how the former Congress President had declined the Prime Minister's role in 2004 after the UPA's victory in the Lok Sabha election. "Sonia Gandhi led Congress for 20 years and sacrificed power when President Abdul Kalam invited her to become Prime Minister. Instead, she recommended Manmohan Singh as someone who could advance the nation," he remarked.

In the same speech, Shivakumar also diplomatically urged Karnataka's citizens to "remain loyal to this Congress government led by Siddaramaiah" and to "support us again in the 2028 election."

As the party's influential southern leader who orchestrated the 2023 victory, Shivakumar has consistently alternated between challenging the current leadership arrangement and calling for party unity ahead of future elections.

The reference to Sonia Gandhi's sacrifice was unmistakably strategic. Legislators supporting Shivakumar have been demanding that Siddaramaiah honor what they describe as an agreement made after the 2023 Assembly election, wherein each leader would serve as Chief Minister for 2.5 years.

This halfway point passed last week without any leadership transition or acknowledgment of such an arrangement by the incumbent Chief Minister.

Throughout the past week, Shivakumar and his supporters have repeatedly reminded both Siddaramaiah's camp and the Congress leadership about relinquishing power, including another cryptic comment about "word power" from Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah has remained firm despite mounting pressure, which includes lobbying efforts by Shivakumar's supporters in Delhi approaching party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The Chief Minister has acknowledged "confusion" within the ranks and called on central leadership to resolve the issue definitively.

However, Siddaramaiah's recent social media response to Shivakumar's "word power" comment – stating that "'word' is not 'power' unless it improves people's lives" – suggests the ongoing tension may be affecting him.

The Congress party has largely avoided taking sides, refusing to make definitive statements about the leadership situation. Until party chief Kharge's statement on Wednesday that "Sonia, Rahul and I will resolve this," the party had not formally acknowledged any leadership dispute, with senior leader Randeep Surjewala attributing the controversy to a "malicious campaign" by the BJP.

Sources revealed to NDTV that Kharge has spoken with Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing that the Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar conflict needs resolution before the Karnataka Assembly's winter session commences on December 8. Kharge reportedly recognizes the vulnerability a divided party would face in the legislative chamber, particularly with an opposition ready to exploit the situation.

The BJP in Karnataka confirmed its intention to capitalize on the discord, with party leader Sunil Kumar announcing plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Congress government. "Siddaramaiah is confined to Mysuru while the Deputy Chief Minister is in Delhi. Given this situation, I've discussed with R Ashok and other colleagues about bringing forward a no-confidence motion," Kumar told reporters.