Power tussle intensifies in Karnataka Congress as DK brothers meet high command
New Delhi: The ongoing leadership battle within the Karnataka Congress has taken yet another dramatic turn, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh holding crucial late-night meetings with senior party leaders in New Delhi.
What began months ago as talk of a “September revolution” has now stretched through November, December, the New Year and even Sankranti—yet the much-anticipated political change remains elusive.
Speculation over a possible power-sharing arrangement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar has been doing the rounds ever since the Congress formed the government in Karnataka.
Several deadlines were hinted at earlier, but none materialised. Now, party insiders claim that major developments could occur after the ongoing budget session. D.K. Shivakumar, who has been camping in Delhi for the past two days, is said to be pushing hard for a final decision from the Congress high command.
On Wednesday night, in a significant political development, Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence. This was followed by discussions with Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, further fuelling rumours of imminent changes.
Speaking to the media in Delhi, Shivakumar maintained that everything was transparent. “There is nothing secret. Siddaramaiah and I have already spoken. Time will answer all questions,” he said, adding to the suspense. D.K. Suresh echoed similar sentiments, stating confidently that “the Chief Minister will keep his word.”
While the DK brothers hinted that talks on power-sharing were progressing, Siddaramaiah dismissed such claims. “There is no such discussion. Whatever the high command decides, both I and Shivakumar will follow,” he said, reacting sharply to questions about leadership change.
The verbal war between the Siddaramaiah camp and the Shivakumar camp has also escalated. Congress MLA Balakrishna openly demanded that the high command break its silence on the issue of power rotation.
On the other hand, Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan asserted that Siddaramaiah would remain Chief Minister till 2028, though he added that any decision by the high command would be accepted.
Amid this internal conflict, a new controversy has emerged over a proposed foreign tour for around 25 Congress MLAs. The trip, scheduled for February 16 under the leadership of Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh—considered close to Siddaramaiah—has been interpreted as an attempt to keep loyal legislators together and prevent defections.
The opposition JDS has mocked the move, saying, “For Congress MLAs, a foreign trip seems more important than budget allocations and governance.”
With both camps trying to consolidate their positions and lobbying intensifying in Delhi, the Karnataka Congress appears to be heading towards a crucial climax. Whether the much-talked-about “political revolution” will finally happen after the budget session remains the big question.
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