Power struggle within Karnataka Congress.
The power struggle within Karnataka Congress has intensified, with CM Siddaramaiah's faction trying to prevent DK Shivakumar from becoming Chief Minister. There are efforts to reduce Shivakumar's influence and remove Siddaramaiah's loyalists from ministerial positions. Speculations about a power-sharing agreement between the two have added to the tension. Both factions are actively engaging with Congress leadership in Delhi, as they battle for control over the state’s political future.
Bengaluru: The power struggle within Karnataka Congress has reached its peak. The faction of CM Siddaramaiah is intensifying efforts to prevent DK Shivakumar from attaining the Chief Minister’s position. At the same time, DK Shivakumar is working on strategies to reduce Siddaramaiah’s power. Meanwhile, Shivakumar is also trying to weaken Siddaramaiah's loyalists by removing them from ministerial positions. The political battle within Karnataka Congress has now reached Delhi, with both factions meeting Congress leadership to counter each other.
Siddaramaiah is hoping to break the record for the longest-serving Chief Minister in Karnataka. In a recent interview, he revealed that he aspires to achieve this record. Currently, the record is held by former CM Devaraj Urs, who served for 2,792 days. Siddaramaiah has been CM for 2,467 days. If he continues in office until January 6 next year, he will surpass Devaraj Urs' record. There are speculations about an agreement between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to share the Chief Minister’s position over a period of two and a half years.
If this agreement is implemented, the CM position should be handed over to DK Shivakumar this year. However, Siddaramaiah's faction is not ready to give up the CM post to DK. Loyalists of Siddaramaiah, such as G. Parameshwara, M.B. Patil, and H.C. Mahadevappa, have come forward, declaring that Siddaramaiah will continue as CM for five years and surpass Devaraj Urs’ record.
To counter the CM faction, DK Shivakumar is implementing various strategies. He is reportedly reviewing the performance of ministers and seeking to remove underperforming ones. DK has even gone to Delhi to request the Congress leadership to make these changes. He is also trying to remove seven ministers loyal to Siddaramaiah. In response, Siddaramaiah's supporters rushed to Delhi, demanding that DK Shivakumar be removed from the PCC president position and that the ministries of irrigation and Bengaluru city development, currently held by him, be assigned to other ministers.
Shivakumar's supporters are also attempting to remove two ministers loyal to him from the cabinet. With the Congress leadership already struggling after repeated electoral defeats, the factional fight in Karnataka has added to the party's challenges.
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