The simmering tension between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar continues to dominate Karnataka’s political landscape, even as both leaders have agreed to await the party high command’s decision on power transfer. The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, fueled by public statements from Siddaramaiah’s son, Dr. Yathindra.

Dr. Yathindra, an MLC and vocal supporter of his father, has repeatedly emphasized that Siddaramaiah remains indispensable to the Congress party. His comments, however, drew sharp reactions from Shivakumar’s camp. Ramanar MLA Iqbal Hussain publicly asked Dr. Yathindra to refrain from commenting on leadership issues, stressing that only the party high command has the authority to decide on such matters.

The discord has been brewing for months, with Siddaramaiah supporters subtly and occasionally directly opposing any move toward power sharing. While Shivakumar and his camp have largely maintained a low profile, the issue resurfaced when Dr. Yathindra suggested that Minister Sathish Jarkiholi could succeed his father, igniting further controversy.

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Shivakumar, who also serves as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, has repeatedly warned party members against making public statements on leadership changes. Some of his supporters who attempted to counter Siddaramaiah’s camp faced show-cause notices, though Siddaramaiah’s supporters were not issued any such directives, highlighting the delicate balancing act within the party.

To manage the escalating tensions, the high command arranged two breakfast meetings between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, during which both leaders agreed to abide by the party’s decision. Dr. Yathindra recently clarified that the high command has confirmed Siddaramaiah will complete his full term as Chief Minister, dispelling speculation fueled by Shivakumar’s ambitions.

Despite these reassurances, Shivakumar supporters continue to criticize Dr. Yathindra for overstepping his role. Iqbal Hussain and other party members reiterated that all decisions rest with the party high command and that any unilateral statements risk undermining internal discipline. Party leaders such as Madhu Bangarappa and K.J. George emphasized adherence to high command directions as the best path forward, signaling the party’s effort to contain the crisis internally.

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