Karnataka power play: Pro-Shivakumar MLAs rush to Delhi, Siddaramaiah stakes claim

The political tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for the top post in Karnataka has escalated, with several MLAs from the Shivakumar camp traveling to Delhi in a bid to press their case. While the pro-Shivakumar legislators lobby for a leadership change, Siddaramaiah on Monday reiterated that he will continue in office if the Congress high command decides so.

At least six MLAs supporting Shivakumar arrived in the national capital on Sunday night, joining others who had previously made similar trips. The legislators H C Balakrishna, K M Uday, Nayana Motamma, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bachegowd, and Shivaganga Basavaraj are reportedly seeking the endorsement of senior Congress leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and possibly Rahul Gandhi, for Shivakumar’s elevation as Chief Minister. Party sources indicated that a few more MLAs may soon follow.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah stressed the supremacy of the high command in deciding leadership matters. “We will abide by the high command decision. If they decide I should continue, I will continue. Ultimately, whatever the high command decides, I should accept it. Shivakumar should also accept it,” he said. When asked directly if Shivakumar would become CM, Siddaramaiah declined to speculate, reiterating that the matter rests with the party leadership.

The current political drama has its roots in an informal power-sharing arrangement forged during the 2023 Assembly elections. Siddaramaiah led the Congress campaign and took the Chief Minister’s post after the party won, while Shivakumar, then state party president, was designated Deputy CM. The tacit understanding, though never officially formalized, envisaged a mid-term rotation, allowing Shivakumar to potentially assume the top post around the halfway mark of the government’s term.

Now, as the Congress completes 2.5 years in office, pro-Shivakumar MLAs are lobbying to push the high command toward a decision. Their objective is to demonstrate Shivakumar’s strength within the legislative party, influence leadership decisions before any Cabinet reshuffle, and signal that his claim to the CM post cannot be ignored.

The leadership tussle also has wider implications for governance and party stability. A change in the Chief Minister could disrupt ongoing welfare and development schemes, prompt administrative reshuffles, and slow policy implementation temporarily. It could also intensify factional tensions within the party, as Siddaramaiah loyalists may feel alienated. At the same time, elevating Shivakumar could energize the southern Karnataka base and address demands for regional or caste representation. Opposition parties, however, may seek to exploit internal turmoil to question the Congress government’s stability and effectiveness.

The situation is further complicated by former KPCC chief and Home Minister G Parameshwara entering the fray, amid calls for a Dalit leader to assume the Chief Ministership. Party insiders note that if the high command approves Siddaramaiah’s proposed Cabinet reshuffle without addressing the leadership question, it would indicate that Siddaramaiah intends to complete his full five-year term, reducing Shivakumar’s chances of elevation.

With pro-Shivakumar MLAs lobbying in Delhi, the Congress high command faces a delicate balancing act: managing factional ambitions, ensuring governance continuity, and preserving party cohesion ahead of future elections. How it navigates this political crossroad will determine the leadership landscape in Karnataka and the stability of the state government in the coming months.