Fresh factional tussle emerges in Karnataka Congress over Apex Bank posts

Bengaluru : While the Karnataka Congress presents an image of unity on the surface, internal factionalism continues to simmer within the party. Even as the power-sharing tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the chief ministerial post has reportedly reached the party high command, a new flashpoint has now emerged — the leadership of the Karnataka State Co-operative Apex Bank.

The latest round of competition has intensified with former minister K.N. Rajanna setting his sights on the Apex Bank president’s post. Rajanna has already filed his nomination for the director’s position, signalling his intent to secure a key role in the powerful cooperative institution. On the other hand, leaders close to Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar are also actively lobbying for the top post. Adding further fuel to the contest is Shivakumar’s relative and MLC S. Ravi, who is said to be an aspirant for the Apex Bank president’s position.

Political observers note that Rajanna is strategically positioning himself amid uncertainty over a possible cabinet reshuffle. With hopes of returning to the ministry if expansion takes place, the former minister is believed to be keeping the Apex Bank presidency as a fallback option. Sources suggest Rajanna is banking on the support of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who currently holds the Cooperation portfolio, to secure the influential post. His strategy appears aimed at ensuring he walks away with either a cabinet berth or the Apex Bank leadership.

Rajanna has filed his nomination as a director representing the Tumakuru District Central Cooperative Bank. The nominations were submitted at the Apex Bank headquarters in Chamarajapet, Bengaluru. Several other leaders from across the state have also entered the fray, underlining the high political stakes involved in the cooperative sector elections.

Among the candidates who filed nominations are Shivakumar Gowda Patil from Dharwad, P. Mookayya Swamy representing the Ballari District Central Cooperative Bank, R. Narendra from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, Rahul Satish Jarkiholi from Belagavi, Sharanagouda Patil from Raichur, and Girish Muddegowda from Davanagere.

The Apex Bank elections have once again exposed the deepening factional rivalries within the Congress, with cooperative institutions increasingly becoming battlegrounds for power and influence. As both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps push their loyalists forward, the outcome of the Apex Bank leadership race is likely to have wider political implications within the ruling party.