CM Kar'nataka': Seeds of rift sowed 2.5 yrs ago; Congress crisis explained

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress’s internal power tussle appears to be heading towards a decisive climax, with the AICC high command expected to take a final call on the leadership question as early as Saturday. Chief minister Siddaramaiah now faces a renewed challenge from deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s camp, whose supporters are camping in Delhi and seeking an audience with the party’s top leadership to press for Shivakumar as the next chief minister.

The power struggle has been simmering since the government crossed its 2.5-year mark, reviving talk of a 2023 power-sharing formula that allegedly promised rotation of the top post. The ongoing debate, once confined to closed-door negotiations, is now public, vocal and intense, prompting senior leaders and MLAs to take positions as the party’s high command prepares to intervene.


A crucial meeting of the Congress brass is likely to take place this weekend, with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge confirming: "The high command Rahul ji, Sonia ji and I will together take a decision to resolve this issue." Delhi sources indicate that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be called in together to settle the question of succession and end the spiral of speculation that has dominated Karnataka’s politics for weeks.

Saturday verdict expected: High command signals final call

According to multiple party insiders, the AICC leadership wants the crisis settled before Parliament convenes on December 1 and before the state assembly session begins a week later. The message issued to both factions is clear: maintain discipline, avoid public statements and wait for the final decision. Priyank Kharge’s discreet visit to Delhi and the instruction asking MLAs lodged in the capital to return suggest that the window for bargaining is narrowing.

While both sides have publicly maintained they will accept whatever the high command decides, the political undercurrent remains charged. Back-channel meetings, including a late-night huddle between Shivakumar and minister Satish Jarkiholi, have added fuel to speculation of an impending power shift.

In Bengaluru, skirmishes for influence and cabinet positioning continue. But the high command appears firm that internal sabre-rattling must stop as the leadership decision nears.

Shivakumar camp steps up the pitch: ‘Deal must be honoured’

Shivakumar’s supporters argue the leadership change is overdue as per the “understanding” reached when the Congress returned to power with 140 seats in the 2023 assembly elections. Several MLAs backing Shivakumar have travelled to Delhi, and ministers in his camp believe the promise of rotational leadership cannot be abandoned halfway.

One of Shivakumar’s aides insisted after the Jarkiholi meeting that the deputy CM only sought support to ensure the “unwritten pact” is honoured. Shivakumar, while refusing to openly confirm the deal, has not denied it either.

On questions about a transition, he said: "There are no personal issues here. The party decides everything. The CM post or high office is unimportant. What is important is working together with everyone and bringing the party back to the helm."

At another interaction, he reiterated confidence in the party’s decision-making framework: "My party is there to take care of my interests." He added, "Whatever discussions happened over the power-sharing, it happened within four walls. I will not discuss that in public."
For Shivakumar loyalists, their leader’s organisational strength and perceived role in delivering the 2023 victory give him a rightful claim. But they emphasise that the final word rests with the top leadership.

Siddaramaiah remains firm that he intends to complete the full five-year term, rejecting speculation that he might willingly vacate the chair midway. Speaking in Delhi, he said, "I will be chief minister for a full five-year term." The CM has also urged the high command to bring closure to what he described as unnecessary speculation and recurrent political noise.

Sidda has repeatedly stated that legislators are free to express opinions, but decision-making authority rests with the high command. "Let them (legislators) go, MLAs have freedom. Let's see what opinion they give. Ultimately, the high command has to make the decision. We will abide by what the high command says."

On cabinet reshuffle demands, emerging simultaneously, he remained non-committal: "It will happen when the high command says."

For Siddaramaiah’s supporters, any hurried transition risks destabilising governance, diluting the AHINDA social coalition, and weakening Congress ahead of the 2028 election cycle.

Jarkiholi in spotlight as key power broker

The political theatre intensified when deputy CM Shivakumar held a quiet midnight meeting with Satish Jarkiholi, a minister believed to be closer to Siddaramaiah. The meeting, which ran past midnight, raised eyebrows as both camps claimed leadership influence in Belagavi. Shivakumar framed the interaction as coordination work, saying, "I am the party president, Satish is the working president. Besides, we are close friends. Our relationship is good and we have worked together."

Jarkiholi responded in a similar tone, emphasising neutrality: "There is nothing wrong in making such claims… but who will finally decide? That happens in Delhi. All that we can do is just make a claim."

He later confirmed plans to meet party president Mallikarjun Kharge personally, stating that Siddaramaiah too wished for a swift resolution to the leadership question.

Warnings issued: Voices from the backbench

The argument for rotation is not restricted to ministers. MLAs too have taken public positions in favour of Shivakumar. Kunigal MLA HD Ranganath said, "For me, my political Guru is DK Shivakumar… Every leader today says that Congress got 140 seats due to his efforts."

Adding further, he said, "It is obvious to expect that the high command should decide keeping in view the wishes of Congress workers, cadres and the voters of Karnataka."

But the leadership has made it clear that public commentary carries consequences. Several MLAs have already received warnings and show-cause notices for airing internal demands openly. Party strategist Randeep Singh Surjewala earlier signalled continuity, saying there would be no leadership change, and on July 11 Siddaramaiah had already asserted a full-term commitment.

With statements multiplying, the high command faces a delicate balance — pacify MLAs, protect government stability, and neither alienate Siddaramaiah nor Shivakumar.

Vokkaliga seer backs Shivakumar, says community expected him as CM

Meanwhile, external pressure on the Congress leadership has grown with Adichunchanagiri Mutt seer Nirmalanandanatha Swami publicly stating that the Vokkaliga community had stood behind the party in the 2023 election with the expectation that DK Shivakumar would be made chief minister. Speaking to the media at Kundur Mutt in Channarayapatna taluk on Wednesday, the seer said, "However, he missed the chance in the changed scenario."

Reiterating his support for Shivakumar’s long-pending claim, Nirmalanandanatha Swami stated that the Congress must factor in both his contribution and the aspirations of the community when deciding on the leadership question.

BJP escalates attack: asks Siddaramaiah to resign or call fresh election

The opposition BJP has seized on the Congress leadership crisis to mount fresh political pressure, arguing that governance has stalled as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar remain locked in a power struggle. In a statement issued on Wednesday, BJP state president BY Vijayendra said the government must either bring clarity to the chief ministership or step aside and seek a fresh mandate.

"Let them postpone the session or if they are unable to handle the situation, resign and declare the election," he told reporters in Bengaluru.

The BJP accused the Congress of neglecting critical issues, particularly farmers who have been protesting for nearly a month over compensation demands. Vijayendra stated, "When farmers are in distress and are seeking answer and compensation from the state government, they (Congress) should come to Belagavi with proper compensation package for the farmers."

He further claimed that ministers and MLAs have spent more time in New Delhi than in Karnataka over the past month, stating, "There is internal fighting going on within the ruling Congress government and it is no secret that for the past one month cabinet ministers and MLAs are more in New Delhi rather than Karnataka."

Mocking the leadership, the BJP suggested the upcoming legislature session be shifted to Delhi, with Vijayendra remarking, "I think it is appropriate for the CM to decide to hold the legislative session in Delhi rather than Belagavi since the entire cabinet is camping in Delhi."

While asserting that BJP is not interested in who stays or goes, Vijayendra said the party is worried about governance and public welfare. "We are not bothered whether Siddaramaiah will continue or will be replaced. BJP's only concern is the condition of the state. Farmers are on strike for the past one month. Government should resolve this issue," he said.

What happens next — three likely scenarios

With the decision window narrowing, Congress leadership now has three realistic options:

• Status quo, Siddaramaiah stays full-term

This route maintains continuity, protects AHINDA influence, and sends a signal of stability. A cabinet reshuffle may be sanctioned later as compensation to placate those backing Shivakumar.

• Mid-term power rotation naming Shivakumar the chief minister

Backers of DKS see this as honouring commitment and preventing factional drift. But replacing a sitting CM at the midpoint could cause internal rupture if not managed delicately.

• Hybrid compromise — phased transition, date announced publicly

A future-dated swap could satisfy both camps temporarily, provided the timeline is seen as credible and binding. It is the most politically pragmatic formula, but only works if both factions stand down simultaneously.

All eyes on Delhi

As the Congress top command prepares to make the call, Karnataka waits for clarity after months of circular speculation. The outcome will not just decide who leads, but how Congress governs, fights the 2028 election and retains its strongest southern bastion.

The answer to Karnataka’s political puzzle now rests with three people — Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
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