Karnataka Congress in Crisis as Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Rivalry Escalates

Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress is witnessing an unprecedented internal crisis as a power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar threatens to destabilise the party just midway through its term. With both leaders entrenched in their ambitions, the party appears mired in a tussle driven more by personal gains than governance.

Caste loyalties are now being openly leveraged as a tool in this battle. Siddaramaiah’s support base among AHINDA communities has vocally warned against any attempt to unseat him, while Shivakumar, backed by the dominant Vokkaliga community, is being championed for elevation. Even religious heads and caste pontiffs have entered the fray, signalling how deeply the divide runs and how internal democracy is being overshadowed by narrow calculations.

Meanwhile, senior leaders like Home Minister G Parameshwara, also eyeing the top post, have thrown their weight into the discussion, adding to the confusion. With party chief Mallikarjun Kharge planning meetings with Rahul Gandhi and key leaders, it remains uncertain whether a coherent strategy will emerge or whether the high command will be forced to make a rushed decision to contain the unrest.

Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra insists there is no justification for a mid-term leadership change, citing administrative performance and MLA support. Yet, the ongoing public tussle signals a party struggling to rein in ambitious leaders and maintain unity.

Observers note that such factionalism only benefits the opposition. While Congress fights itself internally, the BJP stands to gain politically, portraying the ruling party as divided and unstable. The high command faces a tough challenge in preventing personal ambitions and caste politics from undermining governance and electoral prospects.