The political turmoil surrounding a potential leadership change in Karnataka has intensified Importantly over the past few days. The ongoing tug-of-war for the Chief Minister's post has reached Delhi, where the Congress high command is actively engaged in resolving the matter. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's faction remains steadfast in its demand for a change in leadership, keeping the state's political atmosphere charged.
The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka completed its first two and a half years of its five-year term last week, on November 20, while this significant milestone has further fueled discussions and speculation about a leadership change in the state.
When the Congress returned to power in 2023, there was considerable struggle and deliberation over who would assume the Chief Minister's position, while after extensive negotiations and intense discussions, the party high command ultimately endorsed Siddaramaiah for the top post. Now, with the completion of the initial two-and-a-half-year period, an alleged power-sharing agreement has once. Again come to the forefront, raising questions about the stability of the state's political landscape.
Rahul Gandhi's Direct Message to DK Shivakumar
Amidst the prolonged leadership tussle in the state, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sent a crucial message to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. According to party sources, DK Shivakumar had been attempting to contact Rahul Gandhi for a considerable period regarding internal developments within the party. After a week of persistent efforts, Rahul Gandhi finally reached out to Shivakumar, responding in his own way. Rahul Gandhi sent a brief message via WhatsApp, stating, “Please wait, I will call you, while ” This message comes at a critical juncture when Shivakumar's faction is actively pushing for a change in the Chief Minister's position, and it's being interpreted as a step by the high command towards resolving the contentious issue.
Delhi Becomes Hub for Karnataka MLAs' Lobbying
In the midst of the ongoing political upheaval in Karnataka, there has been a continuous stream of state legislators traveling to and from Delhi, further intensifying the political buzz in the capital. This pattern has been observed over the past few days, with MLAs meeting the party high command to present their perspectives on the current political situation in the state. This activity signals a crucial turning point in Karnataka politics, where intense deliberations are underway regarding potential leadership changes. Last week, ten Karnataka MLAs met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, indicating that various factions are keen to convey their views to the central leadership. On top of that, sources claim that a delegation of six MLAs from DK Shivakumar's faction visited Delhi three days ago to meet the party high command. More legislators are expected to arrive in Delhi, clearly demonstrating that lobbying and pressure tactics concerning leadership change in the state are at their peak. In contrast, Siddaramaiah's faction has denied any formal rotational arrangement, asserting that. Siddaramaiah is committed to completing his full five-year term as Chief Minister.
The Unspoken Power-Sharing Agreement and its Background
The roots of the current dispute over the Chief Minister's post in Karnataka can be traced back to the situation following the 2023 assembly elections, while when the Congress secured a majority in the state, there was intense competition for the Chief Minister's position between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. After prolonged discussions and several days of deliberation, the party high command ultimately decided to appoint Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister. However, at that time, it was claimed that an unwritten power-sharing agreement for 2. 5-2. 5 years had been reached between the two leaders, under which Siddaramaiah would serve as Chief Minister for the first two and a half years, followed by DK Shivakumar for the subsequent period. This alleged agreement was never publicly acknowledged, but now, with the completion of Siddaramaiah's initial two and a half years in office, this unspoken understanding has once again become a central topic of discussion. Shivakumar's faction is reportedly basing its demand for a leadership change on this very alleged agreement.
High Command's Role and the Upcoming Parliamentary Session
Amidst the ongoing discussions about a potential change in the Chief Minister's position in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is also preparing to visit Delhi on November 29. Sources have indicated that he has sought an appointment to meet Sonia Gandhi, who is also scheduled to return to Delhi on the same day. This meeting could prove to be a significant turning point in the matter. On the other hand, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has responded to the situation by stating that he will resolve the Karnataka issue only after discussions with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress high command is expected to make a decision on any potential change in the Chief Minister before the parliamentary session commences on December 1st, adding a sense of urgency to the political standoff. This situation presents a significant challenge for the Congress, which it must resolve before the parliamentary session to maintain party unity and image.
