Political intrigue, coded messaging, and strategic power play – Karnataka’s ruling Congress finds itself navigating a phase of heightened tension as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, engage in a simmering struggle for leadership.
With the government completing two-and-a-half years in office, what was once whispered in political corridors has now spilled into the public domain, prompting the party’s central leadership to step in.
At the heart of the confrontation lies an unverified but persistent claim: that the Congress high command had assured Shivakumar he would take over as chief minister halfway through the government’s five-year term. Whether true or exaggerated, the narrative has triggered a round of fierce lobbying, competing claims of legitimacy, and a series of dramatic statements that indicate all is not well within the state’s top leadership.
Caste equations and unfinished promises
The tussle carries a deeper political subtext. Siddaramaiah, an influential OBC leader with mass appeal, has repeatedly said he intends to serve as chief minister until 2028. Shivakumar, the Vokkaliga strongman and state Congress president, has meanwhile hinted that his patience is wearing thin.
Over the past week, MLAs from both camps intensified their engagements with the party’s top brass. Around 10 legislators loyal to Shivakumar even travelled to Delhi to push for his elevation, a move widely perceived as a direct message to the leadership in Bengaluru.
Although the Congress has never officially acknowledged any power-sharing deal, Shivakumar has been cryptically referring to a “secret arrangement” involving just “five or six people.” He insists he has never demanded the chief minister’s post outright, but his public reminders about commitments and “keeping one’s word” have kept the pressure alive.
The Delhi shift
With speculations peaking, the party’s national leadership has been compelled to intervene. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said he will soon convene a meeting in New Delhi with Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to iron out differences. The strategy is straightforward: centralise discussions, contain escalations, and restore cohesion before the friction affects governance.
Kharge has been categorical that the “entire high command team” will collectively address the issue and end the confusion.
Rifts within the camps
Even as the leadership tussle unfolds, internal contradictions within the Siddaramaiah camp added another twist this week. Home Minister G Parameshwara, one of the chief minister’s closest aides, said he had “no issues” accepting Shivakumar as CM if the high command so decided. Within minutes, fellow Siddaramaiah loyalist Zameer Ahmed Khan countered this, asserting that the chief minister’s position was not up for discussion until 2028.
Shivakumar’s own moves, meanwhile, are equally strategic. A late-night meeting with minister Satish Jarkiholi, a known Siddaramaiah supporter, sparked speculation. Reports say Jarkiholi assured that he “will not abandon Siddaramaiah,” signalling Shivakumar’s attempts to test loyalties across camp lines.
What added to the intrigue was Shivakumar’s conspicuous absence from a meeting with Kharge during the Congress chief’s recent visit to Bengaluru. Kharge met Siddaramaiah for nearly an hour. Reports also suggest Shivakumar has been unable to get through to Rahul Gandhi, raising questions about back-channel communication.
Unity claims amid power play
Despite the escalating behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar continue to insist that they will abide by the high command’s eventual decision. They have repeatedly dismissed the BJP’s claim that the Congress government might collapse or that an early election could be triggered.
Both leaders maintain that all 140 Congress MLAs remain united, a statement aimed at projecting stability even as the party grapples with an increasingly tense leadership narrative.