Karnataka Power Tussle: Will Rahul Gandhi Step In to Resolve Shivakumar vs Siddaramaiah CM Battle?
Bengaluru/New Delhi: A fresh round of political speculation has gripped Karnataka as Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar intensifies his push for the Chief Minister’s post, raising a crucial question — will Rahul Gandhi step in to resolve the growing power tussle with Siddaramaiah?
The internal friction within the Karnataka Congress dates back to the 2023 Assembly elections, when despite securing a comfortable majority of 135 MLAs, the party took nearly 10 days to finalise Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister. The delay was widely attributed to D.K. Shivakumar’s strong claim to the top post, indicating early signs of a divided leadership.
The Unconfirmed “2.5-Year Formula”
Following intense deliberations involving Mallikarjun Kharge, Randeep Surjewala, K.C. Venugopal, Siddaramaiah, and Shivakumar, a “two-and-a-half-year power-sharing formula” was widely speculated in political circles. However, no leader has officially confirmed such an agreement.
Shivakumar himself had stated that only those present in the meeting are aware of the details, keeping the speculation alive.
Delhi Focus: Shivakumar’s Strategic Push
Recent political movements suggest that Shivakumar is actively lobbying the Congress high command in Delhi. Sources indicate that he has:
* Met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
* Sought clarity from Rahul Gandhi
* Attempted to build pressure through Priyanka Gandhi and senior central leaders
His extended stay in Delhi signals a decisive phase in the leadership debate.
Siddaramaiah Camp Holds Ground
At the same time, the Siddaramaiah camp has mounted a counter-strategy:
* Strong push for continuation of Siddaramaiah for a full 5-year term
* Discussions around a major cabinet reshuffle, with up to 20 ministers likely to be replaced
* Senior leaders urging the CM to break silence and assert authority
Siddaramaiah’s recent decision to implement internal reservation among Dalits is also being viewed as a move to consolidate political support.
Social and Political Balance
The leadership issue is also shaped by caste dynamics:
- D.K. Shivakumar represents the dominant Vokkaliga community
- Siddaramaiah belongs to the Kuruba (shepherd) community, with strong AHINDA backing
This makes any leadership change a delicate balance for the Congress high command.
Countdown to May 20
With Siddaramaiah set to complete three years in office on May 20, 2026, the political focus is now on whether a transition will follow. Sources suggest Shivakumar is keen to take over for the remaining two years, if a power-sharing understanding exists.
The Big Question
The Congress leadership has so far maintained silence, but pressure is mounting. The key question now is:
- Will Rahul Gandhi intervene and bring clarity to the leadership issue?
- Or will the uncertainty continue within the Karnataka Congress?
For now, all eyes are on Delhi, where the final decision could shape Karnataka’s political future.
Also Read: “Aren’t the CM and I Working Like Brothers?”, Media Creating Confusion: DK Shivakumar
Also Read: DK Shivakumar Reveals BJP Offered Him Deputy CM Post or Jail Time — Says He Chose Prison Over Betraying Congress
Also Read: Karnataka BJP Leaders’ Fantasy: DK Shivakumar Defecting to BJP Unlikely
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