The two main groups in the ruling Congress in Karnataka are Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Party President T.K. It is no secret that the factional conflict has arisen under the leadership of Sivakumar. After intermittent clashes since the Congress came to power in 2023, it was temporarily hidden ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
But now that the voting is over, the factions are attacking each other again. Sivakumar’s supporters – who have made no bones about aspiring to the chief ministership – have revived his bid. They pointed to the party’s less-than-expected performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Siddaramaiah’s party D.K. It tries to put the blame on Sivakumar. Also, by re-raising the demand of 3 Deputy Chief Ministers, D.K. Attempts to dilute Sivakumar’s powers.
Although the Congress increased its tally to 8 seats in the state, the results of the Lok Sabha polls were not as expected. These results are from T.K. It has caused a setback for Sivakumar. His younger brother D.K. Suresh lost to the BJP-Secular Janata Dal (JD(S)) alliance candidate in his home region of Bengaluru Rural. Meanwhile, the Congress party did not win more than 1 seat out of 14 Lok Sabha seats in South Karnataka. DK Sivakumar replaced former Prime Minister HD Kumaraswamy as the leader of the society.
However, with the Congress facing by-elections to three assembly seats in the next few months, their MLAs Kumaraswamy of JD(U) from Mandya, Basavaraj Bombay of BJP from Haveri and E Tukaram of Congress from Ballari are MLAs. .Due to being elected as P.K. Sivakumar sees a new opportunity to achieve his goal.
Also, it has created a new battle for political supremacy between the two factions in Congress.
In an attempt to show that he has no qualms about taking the Vokkalika contest in his hands, T.K. has fielded the Congress candidate from the Channapatna assembly seat that was accidentally vacated by Kumaraswamy. Sivakumar steadies himself. Siddaramaiah’s supporters tried to spread the word that not only was Vokkalika’s inability to mobilize support, but the party was unable to win as many Lok Sabha seats as it had hoped for, with support from the OBC Kurupa community and the Congress’ traditional SC/STs. Voters stayed away.
But of all the communities in Karnataka, it is the SCs, STs and Muslims who seem to have helped the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections. Congress has three ST MPs. For example, Satish Jarkiholi’s daughter Priyanka won from a general constituency. Also, there are two winners from ST-reserved constituencies.
Sensing Sivakumar’s attempts to involve himself in the chief ministerial bid, Siddaramaiah’s faction has been pushing for three more deputy chief ministers in addition to Sivakumar on the grounds that they should represent the various communities aligned with the Congress.
The Siddaramaiah camp believes the original plan was to create more deputy chief ministers after the Congress forms the government in May 2023. But Sivakumar overcame it.
Among those who raised the demand for more Deputy Chief Ministers were Jarkiholi and another ST leader K.N. Rajanna and Jameer Ahmed Khan were the prime minister’s associates.
“There should be one leader each from Lingayat, SC/ST and minorities as deputy chief minister. If a few enjoy power, the party will lose the affection of the people. Although deputy chief ministers will not get any special powers, the move will be a matter of pride (for the communities they represent),” said Cooperatives Minister K.N. Rajanna said. Rajanna also mentioned that he is ready to take charge of the state Congress president.
“There is nothing wrong in aspiring for the post of deputy chief minister. Every community has such a demand,” Khan, who is the housing minister, said after Rajanna’s statement.
Now the religious leaders have come into the matter. In an event marking the birth anniversary of Vokkalika community leader Kempegowda, Vokkalika Sir Chandrasekaranatha Swamy, D.K. He said that Siddaramaiah should make way for Sivakumar as Chief Minister.
“Our D.K. Sivakumar did not become Chief Minister. “My request is that the experienced (post) Siddaramaiah should give up the reins to our Shivakumar in future and bless him,” he said. “This will happen only if Siddaramaiah puts his mind to it,” he said.
“We are in a democracy. Whatever the high-level leadership decides will happen,” Siddaramaiah told the media when questioned about the advice of religious leaders. Karnataka Chief Minister says he is an elected CM and not a nominee – D.K. “Sivakumar does not have the necessary support among Congress MLAs to become Chief Minister,” he said.
When asked about this, he said, “This is the personal view of the head of the monastery. We have the party leadership to decide these matters in a democratic way,” Jarkiholi, who holds the Public Works portfolio, said. He also said that he will contest for the post of Chief Minister in 2028.
Soon after, 2 religious leaders from the Lingayat community – perceived to be in alliance with the BJP – called for a Lingayat to replace Siddaramaiah as chief minister. Srisaila Jagadguru and Balehonur Rambhapuri said that Lingayats had supported the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections and the party now had to answer.
Sivakumar signaled the end of the current era. “Those who make public statements about the transfer of Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister will face disciplinary action by All India Congress and KPCC. Discipline is important to the party. We have worked hard to bring the party to power. No one should talk about this matter. All India Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah and I held a meeting in Delhi and decided that everyone should work for the party. “Ministers, MLAs and barbarians should not talk about party affairs,” said T.K. Sivakumar said.
He added: “Swamiji spoke with love, but his blessings are enough for me. Please don’t nominate or endorse me for the post of Chief Minister… Let’s put an end to these things,” he said.
D.K. While the rumblings of Congress infighting may end after Shivakumar’s statement, it is expected to resume after the by-elections or remain dormant until elections in neighboring Maharashtra. There D.K. Sivakumar is expected to be roped in to strengthen Congress efforts with his organizational skills.
Meanwhile, accused of misusing State ST Development Corporation funds, ST Minister B. Siddaramaiah is still in a strong position despite the BJP’s recent protests against Nagendra, claiming he lost his post.
