DK Shivakumar vs Siddaramaiah Face-Off As soon as Once more In Karnataka: Amid Energy Tussle, Will Congress Change CM?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah not too long ago visited Delhi alongside together with his cupboard colleagues Okay J George, M C Sudhakar, Bhairathi Suresh and political secretary Govindaraju, Authorized Advisor Ponnanna and Legislator Ashok Pathan. The go to got here amid the management change buzz as state Congress leaders saved including gas to the fireplace with their remarks. Siddaramaiah’s go to additionally got here days after his ‘sacrifice’ comment throughout a vital assembly chaired by Normal Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala at Bharat Jodo Bhavan in Bengaluru. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will full the two-and-a-half-year time period because the CM in November this yr. Sources said that Shivakumar has begun staking his declare for the put up of CM. Miffed with this improvement, CM Siddaramaiah’s camp has began demanding the alternative of Shivakumar because the state social gathering president.

What Is The Buzz About?

Karnataka Congress has remained divided into two factions – one led by DK Shivakumar and one other by Siddaramaiah. Whereas there have been calls to exchange DK as state Congress president as he’s a minister within the authorities as effectively, these supporting him have been demanding to make him the Chief Minister, as per a purported ‘seat-sharing’ method agreed throughout the federal government formation. As per the method, Siddaramaiah and DK had been to share the CM put up for two.5 years every. Nevertheless, there has by no means been any official affirmation.

Supporters of Siddaramaiah are actively working to consolidate his faction in an effort to make sure he serves his full time period, whereas Shivakumar’s allies proceed to stir unrest. In line with sources, Siddaramaiah not too long ago confronted Shivakumar instantly, firmly rejecting any chance of a management change. Moreover, Siddaramaiah’s faction has intensified requires Shivakumar to resign as PCC chief, arguing that he holds a ministerial place as effectively.

Does DK Stand A Probability As CM?

Shivakumar’s supporters comprise a phase of influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat MLAs, together with a number of ministers and legislators from the North Karnataka area. Reviews from the latter half of 2024 recommend that the Deputy Chief Minister had been working to strengthen his assist base amongst MLAs. Nevertheless, Shivakumar’s bargaining place has been undermined by the Congress social gathering’s underwhelming efficiency within the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Regardless of securing 9 out of 28 seats—an enchancment of eight from 2019—the social gathering failed to achieve traction within the Vokkaliga-dominated areas of South Karnataka, together with Shivakumar’s personal stronghold. However, Siddaramaiah not solely instructions patronage from the Congress excessive command but in addition from a majority of the MLAs, enough sufficient for him to finish his time period. BJP claims that regardless of the purported understanding over energy sharing, Siddaramaiah desires to proceed as CM.

By no means Pursued Any Place: DKS

Deputy Chief Minister D.Okay. Shivakumar has said that he by no means pursued any place. “I’ve by no means chased any place. These positions aren’t sought; they’re provided. Positions are granted based mostly on management abilities and organisational capacities inside our social gathering….The social gathering will handle these points, and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who hails from Karnataka, is effectively conscious of the scenario,” he added.

Surjewala Downplays Rumours

Congress nationwide Normal Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has dominated out any change within the state social gathering’s management. This implies, whereas D.Okay. Shivakuma will proceed because the Dy CM together with the state Congress chief, Siddaramaiah will stay on the helm of the federal government. Surjewala additionally mentioned there was no infighting within the state unit.

Whereas each factions proceed to woo MLAs to garner assist, the Congress excessive command will maintain the important thing on this energy tussle. (With company inputs)