Kharge Denies High Command Role in Karnataka Congress Leadership Tensions
Congress chief denies Delhi's involvement in state leadership crisis.
In a resolute effort to quell speculation surrounding internal discord within the Karnataka Congress unit, All-India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge categorically denied any involvement of the party's central leadership in fostering leadership tensions, insisting that reported confusion stems exclusively from dynamics at the state level and requires local resolution.
Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi on December 21, 2025, Kharge underscored that the Congress party has been shaped through the collective efforts of its grassroots workers over generations, rather than relying on the contributions of any singular leader, and cautioned against narratives that attribute electoral successes or party strength to individual figures.
He directly addressed rumours of a rift between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, affirming that the high command in Delhi has neither initiated nor exacerbated any disputes, while calling upon state leaders to prioritise unity, discipline, and independent handling of internal matters to maintain organisational cohesion.
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Turning attention to national policy concerns, Kharge delivered a scathing rebuke to the Central government for enacting the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025—commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Act—which has replaced the longstanding Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), describing the original scheme as an indispensable lifeline for rural poor that garnered international acclaim, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Criticising key alterations such as shifting the funding ratio from 90:10 to 60:40 between Centre and states, along with perceived dilutions of rights-based entitlements, Kharge alleged that these modifications deliberately aim to transform a guaranteed employment framework into a discretionary programme, thereby rendering vulnerable rural workers more dependent on affluent sections, and vowed that the Congress, supported by allied opposition parties, would lead sustained nationwide agitations—including protests at district headquarters and further programmes on the party's Foundation Day—to vehemently oppose and seek reversal of these changes.
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