Bengaluru: In a dramatic display of internal discord, special duty officers (SDOs) representing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were embroiled in a heated public confrontation at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi on July 25, 2025. The incident has cast a spotlight on the ongoing turf war and tension within the state’s ruling party.

Incident Details

The altercation reportedly began as a verbal dispute between C Mohan Kumar (SDO to the Chief Minister) and H Anjaneya (SDO to the Deputy Chief Minister). Witnesses stated that tempers flared when Mohan Kumar allegedly shouted at Anjaneya, threatening, “I will remove my boot and hit you,” in front of government staff. Anjaneya promptly filed a formal complaint with the Karnataka Resident Commissioner and the state chief secretary, seeking departmental action against Kumar for what he described as a public threat.

In his complaint, Anjaneya expressed concern for his personal safety, alleging a pattern of aggressive behavior by Kumar and warning officials that he should be held responsible if any harm came to him. The complaint further cited Kumar’s previous alleged misconduct against other officers, strengthening the call for an official inquiry into the incident.

Political Fallout and Stakeholder Response

  • Congress Infighting: The incident has intensified rumors of factional rivalry within Karnataka’s Congress leadership, with both camps trading blame. The confrontation is seen as indicative of power struggles at the top, further complicated by competing “power centres” within the party.
  • Calls for Inquiry: The Resident Commissioner’s office has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and has indicated that due process and an official investigation will follow.
  • Opposition Reaction: The BJP and other political opponents have seized on the episode to criticize the Congress government, alleging instability and lack of coordination between its top leaders.

Broader Implications

The highly-publicized spat highlights ongoing governance challenges within Karnataka’s leadership and underscores the difficulties in managing coalition politics. As the inquiry proceeds, all eyes remain on how the state government will address both the immediate altercation and its underlying causes.

Conclusion

The Karnataka Bhavan incident has accentuated deep-seated divides within the Congress ranks, raising pointed questions on discipline, leadership, and internal communication. The outcome of the official inquiry and subsequent actions will be closely watched by political observers across India.