The simmering leadership tussle between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has escalated sharply, intensifying internal turbulence within the ruling Congress and triggering a wave of political manoeuvring in both Bengaluru and Delhi. What began as quiet discontent has evolved into open factional mobilisation, strategic headcounts, and parallel camps attempting to influence the party high command.
According to senior Congress insiders, the Siddaramaiah faction is believed to have formulated a counter-strategy to blunt Shivakumar’s renewed push for the chief ministerial post. The development comes at a time when multiple Shivakumar loyalists have been rallying in Delhi to build pressure for a leadership change.
Proposal for new Deputy CM posts
During Siddaramaiah’s recent meeting with the Congress leadership in the national capital, he reportedly proposed the creation of two additional Deputy Chief Minister posts. Party sources say the move is intended to dilute Shivakumar’s influence and counterbalance his growing ambition within the party.
The Congress high command has not issued any formal comment, but the flurry of closed-door meetings and sudden political activity in both cities suggests widening internal fault lines. Senior functionaries privately admit that factional pressures have intensified in the past 48 hours.
Shivakumar camp mobilises MLAs in Delhi
Over the last two days, more than 10 MLAs loyal to Shivakumar are said to have travelled to Delhi as part of what is being described within the party as a “pressure tactic”. The legislators hope to push the leadership towards implementing a power-sharing formula or formally recognising Shivakumar’s claim to the top post.
Another team of MLAs—including Magadi Balakrishna, Iqbal Hussain, and Shivaganga Basavaraj—is also expected to leave for Delhi shortly, further reinforcing the perception of coordinated mobilisation.
Congress insiders suggest that the high command is closely tracking the movement of the MLAs, though it has refrained from issuing any directive to either faction.
Dalit leadership demand gains traction
Amid the escalating power struggle, a parallel initiative emerged in Bengaluru on Thursday night when key Dalit leaders convened a closed-door meeting. The gathering has fuelled speculation that the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister could be elevated as an alternative to the ongoing Siddaramaiah–Shivakumar contest.
Sources indicate that some party strategists view the Dalit CM pitch as a neutralising option that could prevent an internal split while also expanding the party’s social coalition in the state.
Senior ministers regroup to counter ‘Delhi pressure’
In another significant development, senior ministers considered close to Siddaramaiah—including K.N. Rajanna, Venkatesh, Dr G. Parameshwara, and H.C. Mahadevappa—held a separate dinner meeting at the residence of Minister Satish Jarkiholi. The meeting, attended by several key figures from the CM’s camp, is believed to have discussed ways to counter the momentum being built by the Delhi-bound MLAs.
A source familiar with the discussions said the ministers questioned the “necessity and optics” of the MLAs’ parade to Delhi and resolved to communicate their displeasure to the high command. Some ministers reportedly argued that Shivakumar’s supporters were acting beyond the bounds of party discipline and that such behaviour must be formally brought to the leadership’s attention.
Dalit CM demand enters deliberations
Crucially, the group of ministers is said to have discussed possible scenarios if the high command considers a power-sharing formula. According to sources, the ministers agreed that in such a case, the demand should pivot toward the appointment of a Dalit Chief Minister rather than supporting Shivakumar’s claim.
“If there is power-sharing, let a Dalit lead and not D.K. Shivakumar,” the ministers are reported to have unanimously agreed.
High command yet to signal, tensions intensify
Despite heightened activity, the Congress high command has maintained a public silence. However, leaders in both the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps are understood to be awaiting a decisive signal from Delhi.
Observers note that the party now finds itself balancing political ambitions, caste equations, internal discipline, and governance stability. With factional mobilisation becoming increasingly visible, the next few days are likely to be crucial in determining whether the leadership intervenes or whether the internal churn reshapes the party’s power structure in Karnataka.