Satish Jarkiholi hints at early resolution to Congress tussle, says DK Shivakumar’s ‘promise issue’ will be settled soon

Haveri: The internal rift in the Karnataka Congress over the Chief Minister’s post once again surfaced on Thursday as Minister Satish Jarkiholi weighed in on the ongoing tension between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Speaking to reporters in Haveri, Jarkiholi said the questions surrounding “promises made” to Shivakumar would be answered either in Bengaluru or New Delhi in the coming days.

He remarked that several senior leaders had already appealed to the party high command to intervene and resolve the confusion at the earliest. “DK Shivakumar has worked hard for the party. When the time comes to discuss his dues, we will talk,” Jarkiholi said, adding a subtle but sharp remark: “Not everyone who works for the party gets power. Some get positions, some must wait.”

Responding to a question about whether he himself aspired to be Chief Minister, Jarkiholi stated firmly that such discussions would take place only on the party platform. “Let elections come. We will talk in 2028. Right now, we have nothing,” he said.

Asked about seers openly backing Shivakumar, Jarkiholi downplayed the development, saying religious leaders voicing support for their communities was not new. “Such statements have been made earlier too,” he said.

Amid the heightened CM change debate, political circles were rattled on Tuesday night when DK Shivakumar and Satish Jarkiholi held a long private meeting. Sources suggest the DCM requested Jarkiholi’s support if the high command decides to elevate him as Chief Minister.

However, Jarkiholi, according to sources, made it clear that he and his faction have always backed Siddaramaiah and would continue to do so unless the high command decided otherwise. “If the high command takes a call, we will not oppose it. We will not leave the party or take any unilateral decision,” a source quoted him as saying.

Some reports also claimed Shivakumar offered to support Jarkiholi for the KPCC president post if he became CM, but aides close to both leaders have denied this.

With competing camps asserting their strength and the high command maintaining silence, the Congress power struggle appears far from over, even as leaders publicly insist on unity.

Also Read: Karnataka Congress in turmoil: Poster war exposes deepening rift between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar