The inner politics of the Congress is once again in the headlines in Karnataka. The tension between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar is being deepened for the alleged ‘two and a half years of power agreement’. If sources are to be believed, there is talk of Siddaramaiah’s two and a half years in November 2024, the discussion of making DK Shivkumar the Chief Minister is in full swing, but the party leadership has not made any official announcement on it so far.
Currently, a round of feedback and review meetings is going on in Karnataka under the supervision of the high command. Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala is getting separate from MLAs and district heads. These meetings are also pointing towards the possibilities of transfer of power, due to which the atmosphere is being created in favor of DK Shivkumar.
According to sources, in the meeting of senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, two and a half years of CM formula was agreed. Under this strategy, feedback is being taken from MLAs, so that consent can be made within the party before the possible change in November.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who recently visited Karnataka, neither denied nor accepted the possibility of changing the Chief Minister. At the same time, Rahul Gandhi can play a decisive role in this entire incident. If sources are to be believed, Rahul does not object to DK Shivkumar’s name, but the final decision will depend on how many MLAs stand with Shivkumar.
Both camps are claiming for power. Siddaramaiah wants to continue in office till March 2026, while Shivkumar does not want to wait a day even after the scheduled time. That is why he has not left the post of state president till now. Sources reveal that DK Shivkumar has gained support from about 100 MLAs.
Political analysts are linking it to the Chhattisgarh model, where TS Singh Dev was not made the Chief Minister despite being promised and Bhupesh Baghel took over the entire 5 -year chair. The question is whether the same will be repeated in Karnataka or will the Congress implement the promise this time?
Home Minister Dr. Ji Parmeshwar has been claiming to become CM as a Dalit face in between, but due to recent controversies, his name has weakened. At the same time, some leaders are advising to keep OBC face Siddaramaiah in office keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In this tussle of power, DK Shivkumar is now eyeing only support, while Siddaramaiah is also uniting his camp. If his supporters rebel rebellion, Rahul Gandhi may have to find a middle path so that DK Shivkumar’s dream can remain incomplete.
