Congress The Karnataka power tussle

Following the recent setback in Bihar, the Congress Party is grappling with a power struggle in Karnataka between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar. Within political circles, especially among Congress members, there is rampant speculation about a possible leadership change later this year, raising concerns about stability and future governance.

As soon as the Chief Minister completed his half-term on October 20, tensions rose. DK Shivakumar’s supporters claim that a secret agreement was made in 2023 involving six senior Congress leaders, whereby Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister while Shivakumar would lead the party.

The Congress leadership in Delhi has intervened, summoning both leaders to the capital. This has left Shivakumar’s supporters uncertain about the future. Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who hails from Karnataka, stated, “I, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul will decide soon.” The BJP has expressed concerns about how this dispute could impact state administration.

This power struggle dates back to 2023 when the secret pact was established between the two contenders. Shivakumar emphasised this week, “Keeping one’s word is the greatest strength,” sending a message to the Gandhis, and added, “Word power is world power.”

Former BJP Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda has offered the party’s outside support to D.K. Shivakumar, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s hints about a potential split in the Congress and raising questions about whether Shivakumar will fracture the party.

The Chief Minister acknowledged current challenges, stating, “Administration is on edge; MLAs are discussing leadership changes in the Karnataka Congress, impacting the bureaucracy.” He urged the Congress leadership to make a quick decision.

The Congress Party is expected to announce leadership changes soon, a decision that could reshape Karnataka’s political landscape and influence national politics.

This is not the first time Congress has encountered factionalism. Karnataka is known for its groupism. The party previously dealt with a similar situation involving Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan. Gehlot won that contest, leaving Pilot bitter and disappointed. This bitterness persisted throughout the term.

About ten MLAs supportive of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are in Delhi advocating for his appointment as Chief Minister. They insist there was a secret agreement for a rotational chief ministership, under which Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister in 2023. They believe it is now time for Shivakumar to take over.

The decision-making team, including Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi, supports Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s post. At the same time, Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal prefer Siddaramaiah to complete his term. The crucial vote rests with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who remains undecided and personally involved in the matter.

Shivakumar wants to brief Rahul Gandhi and has sought time to do so. Rahul replied to him on WhatsApp, “Please wait, I will call you.” If there is a leadership change in Karnataka now, it could significantly affect the state’s stability and national politics, especially with elections approaching.

The Congress Party’s influence in national politics is waning. This makes it vital to maintain the power balance in the state. The party must be cautious, as any misstep in leadership could threaten the stability of a crucial government. The Congress High Command faces critical decisions: whether to continue with Siddaramaiah or promote a younger leader like DK Shivakumar. The fight is between the two leaders. Favouring one or the other could disturb the party. Exploring potential future scenarios will be crucial.

Shivakumar, as a younger leader, has also been a key asset to the Congress Party. He is known for resolving issues not only in Karnataka but also in other states where Congress was in trouble. Being wealthy and supported by the Lingayats, with control over the organisational structure, he effectively solves problems and contributes to the party’s success.

Siddaramaiah is known as a capable administrator and one of Karnataka’s most prominent leaders, proving advantageous to the Congress Party by fostering unity. He has a strong mass base and popular legitimacy.

Tension is rising as both leaders publicly commit to the party’s decision, revealing their underlying ambitions. However, both are preparing their supporters for a fight. The ongoing demands and pressure tactics have harmed the Karnataka Congress’s image.

Karnataka is a crucial test for the Congress Party, revealing its ability to manage leadership expectations in a key state. It is one of three states where Congress is in power. Past experiences, such as in Rajasthan, have shown that informal arrangements require careful handling as ambitions grow. In Karnataka, the stakes are high, and any change must not disrupt the government.

The High Command retains some symbolic authority but no longer wields the power it once had. Currently, it must balance the interests of two key leaders who are essential to its future. Additionally, it needs to maintain government stability and demonstrate unity in a time of limited national strength.

The writer is a popular Columnist; views are personal