Bengaluru: The Karnataka Congress party is navigating through a period of internal friction as a faction of Dalit ministers within the state government intensified their efforts to reshape the party’s leadership structure. Their ambitions, primarily focused on greater representation and influence within the party hierarchy, have fueled a series of strategic moves, including the planning of a major convention and calls for a Dalit leader to assume the pivotal role of KPCC President.
The core objective of these ministers is to ensure that Dalit voices are not only heard but also significantly reflected in the key decision-making bodies of the party. To achieve this, they are actively manoeuvring to position themselves as potential contenders for top posts, including Chief Minister and, most prominently, the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). This internal movement has involved separate meetings among the ministers and a dedicated plan to directly engage the party’s high command in New Delhi.
The overarching goal of these engagements is to advocate for the appointment of a Dalit leader to the KPCC presidency, thereby signaling a shift towards a more inclusive and representative leadership. This push is happening amidst the silence of DK Shivakumar, currently holding the dual role of Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President, whose position is at the center of these discussions.
A key manifestation of this ambition is the “Shoshitara Samavesha,” (convention of oppressed) a proposed convention designed to amplify Dalit representation within the party and challenge the existing leadership dynamics. Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and K.N. Rajanna are leading the charge, mobilising support and resources for the event. Jarkiholi, the Public Works Minister, and Rajanna, the Cooperation Minister, have taken the initiative to meet with senior Congress leaders. These meetings included discussions with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, and party state in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala.
These meetings were aimed at presenting their case for the convention and emphasizing the importance of including Dalit voices in leadership decisions. Their strategy is clear: they aim to leverage the convention to exert pressure on the current leadership, with a specific focus on influencing the position of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
G Parameshwara, the convenor for an upcoming Dalit ministerial meeting in New Delhi, has added weight to the debate. He has stressed that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completes his full five-year term, serious consideration should be given to Dalit leaders for the top leadership role during any transition. He has also explicitly proposed that the KPCC President’s position, currently held by Shivakumar, should be transferred to a Dalit leader, signifying the urgency of the issue.
Preparations for the “Shoshitara Samavesha” convention are well underway, with ministers actively managing arrangements. The event is tentatively scheduled for April or May, with potential locations being considered, including Chitradurga, Davangere, and Hubballi. Organisers anticipate a significant turnout, with an estimated 4-5 lakh attendees, including key Congress figures such as Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Venugopal, and Surjewala. The convention’s core objective is to mobilize the Dalit communities and deliver a powerful message to the party’s high command, advocating for increased representation within the leadership.
In a strategic move, Dalit ministers have devised a backup plan in case the high command does not endorse the convention. This alternative plan involves organising an independent convention under the leadership of community Swamiji’s. This strategy entails the involvement of influential Swamijis and uses their influence to pressure the party leadership to prioritize Dalit voices in decision-making.
Despite the public attempts to project an image of harmony, the underlying internal divisions within the Congress are undeniable. While senior leaders, including Satish Jarkiholi, have denied any current discussions regarding the change of the KPCC President, the deep-seated tensions are evident.
In a recent development, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge hinted at impending changes, suggesting that the party is considering leadership adjustments in various states.
“I have just come from a change of the PCC president in Odisha, where a person from the backward community has been chosen for this post. Similar changes will also take place in other states in the coming days,” Kharge stated. He added, “While I can’t give specific details right now, we are making changes in different states. In one or two days, changes will happen in a couple of states. All changes will be completed within a week or so.”
