The political battle over the Chief Minister’s chair in Karnataka escalated sharply on November 27, after the Karnataka Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha issued a strong warning to the Congress high command, declaring that it would launch a statewide agitation if Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is denied the Chief Minister’s post. The Sangha emphasised that the Vokkaliga community would not tolerate any “injustice” to the KPCC chief, who they say played a pivotal role in bringing the Congress to power.
Addressing a press conference, Sangha president L. Srinivas asserted that Shivakumar had tirelessly toured the state, strengthened the party’s machinery, and was instrumental in the Congress securing 140 seats in the Assembly elections. “If the high command fails to keep its promise and deny DK Shivakumar his due, the Vokkaliga community will hold an intense agitation across Karnataka,” he warned.
Srinivas also reiterated the widely discussed claim that the Congress high command had earlier assured Shivakumar the Chief Minister’s position after Siddaramaiah completed 2.5 years in office. “The time has come for the party to fulfill its commitment,” he said, adding that Shivakumar had even gone to jail for the sake of the party and deserved at least a ‘fair reward’ for his sacrifices.
Former Bengaluru Deputy Mayor Srinivas echoed these concerns, stating that Siddaramaiah had already served two and a half years in his current term and previously completed an entire five-year term as CM. This, he said, naturally fueled questions about whether Siddaramaiah would hand over power to his deputy as promised, prompting several MLAs and ministers to rush to Delhi for discussions.
The Sangha made its position unequivocally clear: “DK Shivakumar is a disciplined soldier of the Congress. If any injustice is done to him, we will launch a massive statewide struggle,” its president declared.
The succession debate has also drawn several religious leaders into the political discourse. After Adichunchanagiri seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji backed Shivakumar for the CM’s post, Veereshwara Swamiji of Degulhalli Madiwaleshwara Mutt also extended his support, predicting that the Congress government in Karnataka could collapse if Shivakumar is not made Chief Minister.
Swamiji stated that Shivakumar had supported Siddaramaiah’s elevation during the first tenure and that it was now Siddaramaiah’s turn to honour his commitment. “If he refuses to hand over power, people will remember Siddaramaiah as someone who broke his promise. For the stability of the government, the leadership must transition as agreed or the government would fall,” he cautioned.
However, the Kuruba community seer. Niranjananandapuri Swamiji of the Kaginele Kanaka Gurupeetha criticised the growing involvement of religious heads in political decision-making. He questioned whether the Constitution permitted the appointment of a Chief Minister merely because a seer recommended it. “Choosing a CM is the right of the elected legislators. Swamijis should not interfere in party matters and create confusion,” he said.
Niranjananandapuri Swamiji also defended Siddaramaiah, saying he had governed the state as a representative of all people, not just one community. “Social justice must guide leadership choices, not caste considerations,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, dismissed speculation of an imminent leadership change. He asserted that Siddaramaiah had neither corruption charges nor involvement in any scam, and that he was governing effectively with the support of MLAs.
“The high command’s decision will be final. At present, there is no situation that calls for a change in leadership,” he said when asked whether Siddaramaiah would complete a full five-year term.
Responding to viewers demanding that Shivakumar be made the next CM, Yathindra said it was inappropriate for external groups to comment on internal party matters. “The Congress will decide who the Chief Minister should be. This is not for others to decide,” he maintained.
On D.K. Shivakumar’s remark that “keeping one’s word is a great strength,” Yathindra said only Shivakumar could explain what he meant, but stressed that Siddaramaiah would abide by whatever the high command decided.
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