With the ongoing power tussle between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, hotting up, the high command finds itself caught in a bind.
Party president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday that the dispute over the Chief Minister’s post would be settled soon, adding that the final decision would be taken by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and himself after consultations.
Reports suggest that the central leadership plans to make a decision on any change in leadership in Karnataka before the Parliament session begins on December 1.
Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, “Only the people there can say what the government is doing. But I can assure you, we will resolve these issues. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and I will sit together and discuss. We will provide whatever mediation is required.”
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has reportedly responded to Shivakumar with a brief WhatsApp message: “Please wait, I will call you.”
As the Congress government in Karnataka reached the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20, Shivakumar stirred speculation by stating on Tuesday that there had been a “secret deal between five or six of us” regarding power sharing. According to party insiders, this alleged agreement was reached in May 2023 at Kharge’s residence, giving Siddaramaiah the first 2.5 years as CM and Shivakumar the remaining term. Siddaramaiah is said to have assured that he would step down a week before completing 2.5 years.
Although Siddaramaiah has consistently asserted that he would remain Chief Minister for the full term, his tone reportedly softened after a meeting with Kharge on November 22. He later said the “high command will decide.”
Shivakumar, speaking in Kanakapura, avoided escalating the issue. “The Chief Minister has spoken. He is a senior leader and an asset to the party. He has completed 7.5 years as CM, including his previous term,” he said.
"I don't know. I have not asked to make me the CM. It is a secret deal between five and six of us. I don't want to speak publicly on this. I believe in my conscience. We should work with our conscience. I don't want to cause embarrassment to the party in any way and weaken it. If the party is there, we are there. If karyakartas are there, we are there," Shivakumar responded to a query.
On Siddaramaiah’s comment that he would present the next budget as well, Shivakumar responded, “I’m very happy. He has served as opposition leader and strengthened the party. All of us should work together with the goal of the 2028 assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha election.”