The ongoing power struggle within the Karnataka Congress has resurfaced, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son and Congress MLA, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, claiming that the party high command had made it clear that there would be no change in leadership. Yathindra stated that the leadership issue was "settled" and confirmed that his father would remain Chief Minister for the full five-year term.
His remarks drew a sharp response from Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who sarcastically quipped, "Yathindra is our high command, and let's accept what he says with utmost respect."
On Saturday, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, emphasised that "only time will tell" when he would be elevated to the top post. He added, "People, legislators, and the media may have their desires, but we must all follow the party's decision."
Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have been locked in a bitter power tussle, which intensified in mid-November when the Congress government reached the halfway mark in its tenure. When asked if a leadership change could happen after the state budget is presented in March, Shivakumar replied, "Time will answer."
Regarding demands from certain Dalit organisations for Home Minister G. Parameshwara to be made CM, Shivakumar said, "What's wrong with that? Supporters express desires for their leaders, and we cannot tell them not to."
At the core of the power struggle in Karnataka Congress is a rumored agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023. Reports suggested that when the Congress high command chose Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister, it was understood that Shivakumar would take over after the government's halfway mark. However, the party leadership has never publicly acknowledged such an arrangement.
The rivalry has deeply divided the Karnataka Congress, with both leaders taking subtle jabs at each other on social media, prompting the intervention of the high command. In December, signaling a temporary truce, the two leaders met for breakfast twice, presenting a united front as instructed by the party leadership.