Rahul Gandhi’s Message to Shivakumar Amid Karnataka Power Struggle: “Please Wait, I Will Call You”
Congress in Karnataka faces uncertainty as MLAs await decision on chief ministerial post.
Political uncertainty continues to grip Karnataka as Congress leaders await clarity from the party high command over the chief ministerial position. In the midst of speculation about a leadership change, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reportedly received a brief WhatsApp message from Rahul Gandhi after nearly a week of trying to reach him. According to sources cited by India Today, Gandhi wrote, “Please wait, I will call you,” in response to Shivakumar’s repeated messages seeking a discussion on internal developments.
The exchange comes as the Congress faces mounting pressure to address growing factional tension between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar. Around ten MLAs aligned with Shivakumar have been camping in Delhi, urging the party leadership to honor an alleged internal pact made after the 2023 election victory. The agreement, they claim, promised a rotational arrangement under which Siddaramaiah would serve as chief minister for 2.5 years before handing over the reins to Shivakumar. With the halfway mark of the government’s term having passed in November, speculation about a transition has intensified.
Shivakumar is expected to travel to Delhi on November 29 to meet with the party high command. Supporters close to him, including Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain, said they remain confident about a power shift, declaring that “DK Shivakumar will be the Chief Minister soon.” However, both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have denied any immediate change in leadership.
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sought to ease the growing unease, saying that the issue would soon be settled at the top level. He told ANI that discussions would be held with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to reach a “collective decision” and “mediate the matter.” Kharge added, “Only the high command can take such decisions, and we will arrive at a resolution after due consultation.”
Responding to reports of MLAs traveling to Delhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintained that legislators were free to express their views but reiterated that he would accept any decision made by the party leadership. “The high command will take the final call, and we will abide by it,” he said. With the Parliament session scheduled to begin on December 1, the Congress high command is expected to announce a decision before the session opens, potentially ending weeks of uncertainty in Karnataka’s political circles.
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