Amid speculations about the ongoing change of leadership in Karnataka politics, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday clearly said on the floor of the Assembly that there was no discussion regarding power-sharing in the party and the Congress Legislature Party has elected him as the Chief Minister for full five years. Participating in the discussion on North Karnataka during the ongoing winter session in Belagavi, Siddaramaiah said that no one can give him instructions on this issue.
The Chief Minister said, “I do not believe in destiny and no one can give me direction. I have been elected Chief Minister by the legislature party for five years. There was no discussion of any kind in that meeting regarding power-sharing for two and a half years. I will remain the Chief Minister till the instructions of the party high command. The reality is that the high command is in my favor.”
This statement of Siddaramaiah was echoed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar’s ‘Haq Ki Baari’ is being linked to the ongoing internal tussle. It is believed that at the time of coming to power in 2023, an internal understanding was reached within the Congress, under which DK Shivakumar was to be made the Chief Minister after two and a half years. However, Siddaramaiah has now publicly denied any such agreement.
The Chief Minister once again said, “I do not believe in fate and do not go to pray for anything. I have made my way on my own. Even though I am a little weak physically now, but not politically. I am the Chief Minister now and will remain so till the high command asks.”
Amidst this entire incident, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is maintaining silence. Despite attempts to provoke him by the Siddaramaiah camp, he has not responded publicly in the last six months. Even on Friday, he was seen offering prayers at Andale Jagadeshwari temple in Ankoula. Earlier he had worshiped Atmalinga in Gokarna. In political circles it is being seen as ‘Temple Run’.
After completion of two and a half years of Siddaramaiah becoming the Chief Minister, this issue started gaining momentum again. As soon as this period was completed on November 20, DK Shivakumar’s brother and former MP DK Suresh made a public statement demanding Siddaramaiah to stick to the promises made in 2023. After this, Shivkumar supporters tried to meet the top leadership in Delhi, but no concrete result could be achieved.
During this time, different opinions also emerged among the Karnataka in-charge leaders of Congress. While Randeep Singh Surjewala was said to be in favor of handing over power from Siddaramaiah, K. C. Venugopal believed that the continuation of Siddaramaiah would be beneficial for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.
DK Shivakumar meanwhile met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and reminded them of the promises made in 2023. It is believed that Rahul Gandhi has to take the final decision on this entire issue. However, the situation is complex.
If Siddaramaiah is removed, the message could be sent that Congress has promoted a Vokkaliga community leader by removing a popular OBC leader. At the same time, if DK Shivakumar is not made the Chief Minister, the party will disappoint a leader who worked for the organization for more than four decades and did not leave the Congress even in difficult times.
At present, the Congress leadership has entrusted the responsibility of resolving this issue to Kharge, Venugopal and Surjewala. But it is clear in the political circles that the final decision regarding the power in Karnataka is in the hands of Rahul Gandhi only.
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