Bengaluru: The ongoing political rift between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has taken a sharp turn, with both leaders openly contradicting each other on the issue of power-sharing, leading to mounting speculation and tension within the state Congress leadership.
In the latest development, CM Siddaramaiah has vehemently rejected the claim made by DCM DK Shivakumar that the two had an agreement regarding the transfer of power, stating that there was no such understanding between them. This public rebuke has fueled further doubts about the inner-party dynamics of the Congress government in Karnataka, as well as the relationship between the two top leaders.
Siddaramaiah’s Denial: No Power-Sharing Agreement
Siddaramaiah, addressing a gathering in Bandaboyinahalli, KR Pet taluk of Mandya district, on Wednesday was blunt in his response to Shivakumar’s remarks. The CM stated firmly, “There is no agreement between us regarding the transfer of power. We will act as per the high command’s decision.” This clear repudiation of Shivakumar’s comments highlights the growing fissures within the Congress leadership, as both leaders appear to have different interpretations of their political alliance.
The Chief Minister’s statement underlines that no official or informal pact exists between him and Shivakumar, regarding the power transition, and any decisions will be made according to the Congress party’s central leadership, i.e., the high command. This further intensifies the perception that the power-sharing arrangement, which has been a subject of much speculation since the Congress formed the government in Karnataka, is not as clear-cut as Shivakumar’s statements suggested.
DK Shivakumar’s Statement: “There is an Agreement”
Earlier, in an interview to a news channel, DK Shivakumar had made a bold statement regarding the future of the Chief Minister’s post, which seemed to directly contradict Siddaramaiah’s position. Shivakumar stated, “It is true that there is an agreement between us regarding the sharing of power.”
While he maintained that there was currently no vacancy for the CM’s post in Karnataka, he implied that both he and Siddaramaiah had a clear understanding regarding a future power-sharing arrangement. Shivakumar added, “I will reveal it when the time comes.” His cryptic remarks have fueled rumors within political circles about the timing and nature of any transition of power, suggesting that the issue of who will hold the CM’s post in the future remains unresolved and is likely to become a contentious issue.
A Growing Rift or A Political Strategy?
The contrasting statements from Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar suggest an underlying tension that is not just about power-sharing but may also signal deeper rifts within the Karnataka Congress. Shivakumar’s assertion of an agreement could be seen as a strategic move to assert his claim to the CM’s post, while Siddaramaiah’s firm denial could be a reflection of his own calculations about retaining the top post for a longer term.
For many within the Congress, the situation presents a complicated political landscape, where the top leaders are publicly at odds while the party’s future hinges on how they navigate these differences. While Siddaramaiah insists that the Congress high command will make the final decision, Shivakumar’s comments imply that there might already be a private understanding between the two. This discrepancy between the two senior leaders could potentially destabilize the government, as it casts doubt on the cohesion of the leadership team.
CM Siddaramaiah on Other Political Matters
Aside from the power-sharing issue, Siddaramaiah also addressed several other ongoing political developments in Karnataka. He clarified that there is no change in the conference being held by the Congress and the Swabhimani Alliance in Hassan. The event, scheduled on Thursday, will be a joint conference organized by both the Congress and the Swabhimani alliance, with Siddaramaiah confirming that the name of the conference remains ‘Jana Kalyana Samavesha’, despite rumors that it might have been altered.
Siddaramaiah also took the opportunity to address the growing speculation about a potential cabinet reshuffle. He categorically stated, “There is no cabinet reshuffle at the moment. I have not said anything about it. It does not matter who says anything about it. The high command should give instructions, and then I will decide.”
This statement further illustrates that Siddaramaiah is maintaining a strong stance of authority, insisting that any decisions regarding cabinet changes will only be made following directives from the Congress high command. It is clear that the CM is asserting his control over the administration, as he responds cautiously to the pressure and expectations surrounding his leadership.
The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Tension
The confrontation between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar represents a significant escalation in the political dynamics of Karnataka. With both leaders publicly stating opposing views on the issue of power-sharing, it remains unclear how the situation will evolve. Will the Congress high command step in to mediate and clarify the future of the CM’s post? Or will the tensions between the two leaders continue to simmer, affecting party cohesion and governance in the state?
What is certain is that the coming months will be crucial for the Karnataka Congress, as the party leadership seeks to resolve the leadership dispute without allowing it to destabilize their hold on power. The development also raises questions about the role of the Congress high command in resolving internal conflicts, and whether the growing dissidence between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar can be reconciled before it damages the party’s prospects in the state.
As Karnataka continues to navigate this political turbulence, the outcome of this power struggle between the two senior leaders will have significant implications for the state’s governance and the future of the Congress party in Karnataka.
BJP president Vijayendra criticised Siddaramaiah
Amidst the growing doubts about the direction of the Lokayukta’s investigation, the report released by the Enforcement Directorate has exposed the Chief Minister’s true face. Despite this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has decided to persist with his corruption, seems to have taken an oath similar to former Delhi CM Kejriwal’s: that he will not vacate the Chief Minister’s seat, even if he is sent to jail,” BJP state unit president B.Y. Vijayendra has sharply criticised.
“There have been several irregularities in the allocation of 14 alternative plots by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, B.M. Parvati. Moreover, over a thousand plots have been allocated illegally by MUDA,” the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated.
Citing this report, Vijayendra launched a scathing attack on CM Siddaramaiah via social media platform X. “The fact that the weak Congress high command is kneeling before Siddaramaiah is nothing but the misfortune of Karnataka,” he said.
ಮುಡಾ ಅಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ಕುಟುಂಬಕ್ಕೆ ದೊರೆತಿದ್ದ 14 ನಿವೇಶನಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ನಿವೇಶನಗಳ ಲೂಟಿಕೋರತನದ ಹಗರಣದ ಹಿನ್ನಲೆ ಈ ಹಿಂದೆಯೂ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ @siddaramaiah ನವರ ಪಾತ್ರವನ್ನು ಸಾಕ್ಷಿಕರಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಇದರ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಉಚ್ಛ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯ ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲರ ಪ್ರಾಸಿಕ್ಯೂಷನ್ ಅನುಮತಿಯ ನಿರ್ಧಾರವನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿ ಹಿಡಿದು… pic.twitter.com/J2sEFa19xv
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) December 4, 2024
“The background to the scandal involving the looting of 14 plots and thousands of illegally allotted plots to the Chief Minister’s family in MUDA was already substantiated by documents. Based on this, the High Court had upheld the Governor’s decision to allow prosecution and cleared the way for the investigation,” he added.
“The then District Magistrate had written a letter to the government informing it of MUDA’s losses amounting to thousands of crores of rupees. The investigation currently being conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), based on the complaint filed in this context, is shedding light on the true situation.”
“Knowing the severity of this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was planning to hold a Swabhimani conference in Hassan to intimidate the Congress high command. However, party high command curtailed Siddaramaiah’s self-respecting Swabhimani conference in Hassan,” he concluded.
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