Bengaluru: A quiet yet unmistakable fissure between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar appears to be widening, with recent political developments pointing to growing discord at the top of the ruling Congress establishment. What was once whispered in closed corridors has now become increasingly visible to political observers, party insiders, and even the public.
The most recent flashpoint emerged on Tuesday when CM Siddaramaiah convened a high-stakes meeting with Congress MLAs at his chamber in Vidhana Soudha to discuss the allocation of Rs 50 crore in development grants per constituency. Notably, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was conspicuously absent from this meeting — and, more crucially, not involved in the process.
According to party sources, this exclusion has left many legislators “anxious and confused.” Some MLAs reportedly questioned the rationale behind sidelining Shivakumar, especially when both leaders had met with AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala just days earlier to discuss constituency-level funding and rising dissent over fund distribution.
While no official explanation was provided, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara downplayed the rift, stating, “The Chief Minister is meeting MLAs district-wise to discuss grant allocation and constituency issues. Even in our previous tenure, similar meetings were held. The DCM is reportedly unwell. Otherwise, he might have joined.” However, Shivakumar’s own departmental review meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday suggest otherwise, raising questions about whether the CM’s exclusion was a deliberate snub.
This is not the first time Siddaramaiah has acted unilaterally. During the recent budget preparation sessions, Shivakumar was reportedly kept out, with key decisions made in consultation with Siddaramaiah’s close aides and political secretaries such as Basavaraj Rayareddy, K Govindaraj, and Nazir Ahmed.
More symbolically, when a grand “Sadhana Samavesha” was held in Siddaramaiah’s home turf recently, Shivakumar was absent either due to a lack of invitation or by choice. In his speech, the Chief Minister pointedly omitted Shivakumar’s name in his salutations, drawing criticism from party colleagues. When questioned, Siddaramaiah brushed it off, saying, “There’s no need to mention someone sitting at home due to illness.”
Party insiders say Shivakumar has been absorbing these slights quietly but deliberately, refraining from retaliating or making public statements. His silence, they argue, reflects his long-term political strategy, especially considering the power-sharing formula between the two leaders that was never formally ratified by the high command.
It’s worth noting that neither Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, nor Rahul Gandhi, nor Karnataka in-charge Surjewala ever officially endorsed Siddaramaiah’s claim to a full five-year tenure. Shivakumar’s loyalists privately acknowledge their leader has been sidelined but insist he remains focused on organizational matters, particularly strengthening the party in Old Mysuru and managing Bengaluru’s civic affairs.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah appears to be consolidating control by hosting the MLA consultations in his own chamber rather than the KPCC office, which traditionally represents party unity. “This move is a signal,” a senior Congress MLA observed, “Siddaramaiah wants to remind everyone who is in charge.”
Despite being marginalized, Shivakumar continues to project calm. On Tuesday, he chaired meetings related to the Bengaluru Development Department and Urban Infrastructure Planning, signaling he remains focused on his governance responsibilities, if not the inner workings of the party.
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