Karnataka Power Struggle: Siddaramaiah Gains Upper Hand Amid Congress Infighting

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's position appears increasingly unassailable in Karnataka, bolstered by vocal endorsements from Dalit ministers organizing a rally and the AHINDA (Alpasankhyatar, Hindulidavaru, Dalit) coalition initiating a signature drive to affirm his continued tenure. These moves send a clear signal to the Congress high command, emphasizing Siddaramaiah's indispensability amid whispers of a power-sharing pact from the 2023 election victory. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's silence on leadership transitions has left his loyalists, particularly first-time MLAs, feeling abandoned and voicing frustrations in private circles, highlighting fractures within the ruling party's ranks as internal dynamics overshadow governance priorities.

Shivakumar remains optimistic about intervention from senior Congress figures Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who were reportedly involved in the original agreement stipulating a rotational chief ministership after two-and-a-half years. His brother, DK Suresh, tempered expectations by attributing any future elevation to fate and party directives, while acknowledging Siddaramaiah's vitality for leading into the 2028 assembly elections. Suresh welcomed the SC/ST ministers' rally as a unifying force for the party, but Shivakumar himself sidestepped controversies around Siddaramaiah's inner circle advocating for his retention or floating a Dalit chief minister alternative, urging cadres to redirect energies toward productive endeavors rather than divisive speculation.

Adding to the pro-Siddaramaiah momentum, former minister KN Rajanna is set to host a dinner for the Chief Minister during his November 7 visit to Tumakuru, where Rajanna has long championed expanding the number of deputy chief minister posts to dilute power concentration. This gesture underscores shifting allegiances and the chief minister's broadening support base, even as Shivakumar's camp grapples with waning enthusiasm. The deputy chief minister's restraint contrasts sharply with the proactive campaigns from Siddaramaiah's allies, potentially signaling a strategic wait-and-see approach amid high command deliberations.

Also Read: No Fixed Time Limit on Siddaramaiah’s Karnataka CM Term, Says Home Minister

From the opposition's vantage, BJP state president BY Vijayendra seized on the discord, asserting that Siddaramaiah harbors doubts about retaining power beyond November, when the government's halfway mark arrives. Addressing reporters in Chitradurga, Vijayendra lambasted the Congress for prioritizing the chief minister's chair over state welfare, noting how Siddaramaiah's earlier five-year pledge has given way to deference toward the high command. He highlighted ambitions among Congress MLAs vying for the top job, claiming the infighting has precipitated administrative paralysis and exacerbated fiscal strains from flagship guarantee schemes in Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh.

As the power tussle intensifies, Karnataka's political landscape risks further stagnation, with development taking a backseat to factional maneuvering. Vijayendra warned that the internal Congress strife not only erodes public trust but also exposes vulnerabilities that the BJP could exploit in upcoming electoral battles. For Siddaramaiah, consolidating his hold through community-backed initiatives may prove pivotal, while Shivakumar's path hinges on high command arbitration, leaving his supporters in limbo and the state's governance apparatus vulnerable to prolonged uncertainty.

Also Read: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Signals Possible 2028 Run, Awaits Congress High Command Decision