Battle for top post in Karnataka

TKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s power-sharing dispute with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, which came to light during the formation of the Congress government in May, has once again come to light.

Confusion has reignited after Siddaramaiah claimed last week that he will complete the entire term, while some MLAs claim that Shivakumar will take over the chief minister’s post after two-and-a-half years.

While Mr. Siddaramaiah has a large following and is known for appealing to minorities, backward classes and Dalits in the state, Mr. Shivakumar, who is also the head of the state party division, is known for his organizational skills and control. Known for its traction among factions. Vokkaliga community.

As both leaders vie for power, the Congress high command, especially Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, persuaded both leaders to work together to ensure smooth government formation and rollout of the party’s five guarantee schemes. did. However, confusion occasionally arose, mainly due to the differences in the political backgrounds, leadership styles, ambitions, and ideological approaches of the two leaders.

While Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar have tried to give the impression that there is no political superiority, their ardent supporters have openly expressed their differences. The omission of senior party official BK Hariprasad from the cabinet and the alleged standing aside of some ministers in taking important decisions has sparked outrage. Some ministers claimed they were not being recognized for their contribution to the party’s stunning victory in the 2023 parliamentary elections. While Mr. Shivakumar is biding his time, ministers Satish Jarkiholi and G. Parameshwara are also burning with ambition to occupy the coveted top post.

To ensure equal distribution of power, Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna has floated a proposal to appoint three more deputy chief ministers for “caste balance” ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It was deliberated before the High Command. The proposal is seen as an attempt by Siddaramaiah’s camp to checkmate Mr Shivakumar, who is seen taking decisions related to Bengaluru, which is key to the state’s economic growth, with little consultation.

Shivakumar’s “unilateral” proposal to rename the Ramanagara district adjoining the state capital as Bengaluru South has not sat well with the Chief Minister. Mr. Siddaramaiah said this and distanced himself. I don’t know what he’s thinking because he hasn’t discussed this. ”

The proposal was aimed at real estate development and drew opposition from many quarters, especially from Janata Dal (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who carved out Ramanagara district from Bengaluru region in 2007 when he was the state chief minister. .

Amidst this uproar, delays in the appointment of party members and legislators to over 80 government committees and agencies, out-of-turn statements by ministers and party MLAs on the Prime Minister’s term of office and other issues, and the Bharatiya Janata Party. did. Allegations of corruption within the (BJP) government do not bode well for the Congress ahead of the general elections.

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and KC Venugopal cozied up to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar during a damage control exercise in Bengaluru last week. The leaders also warned ministers and MPs not to cross the party’s ‘Lakshman Rekha’. They warned that “appropriate action” would be taken against anyone speaking publicly about party issues or the government.

Having mastered the art of planned defection (Operation Lotus), first in 2008 and then in Karnataka in 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party adopted a waiting policy. Shivakumar and his Congress associates claim there is a “big conspiracy” to overthrow the government.

In a bid to send a clear message to the Congress leadership that “all is well” with the government, Mr Siddaramaiah recently held a breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues, including Mr Shivakumar, and said he is working hard to ensure victory in the Parliament. instructed them to work. Win at least 20 of the 28 seats in the 2024 general election. This is clearly a compromise, but the one-on-one competition between top leaders is clearly not over. No one knows when it will become more intense again.