NATIONAL: Karnataka Congress Turmoil Reaches Delhi; High Command Steps In
Tensions simmer in the Karnataka Congress as leaders huddle in Delhi over a lingering power-sharing formula between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Fresh from a foreign tour, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi shifted gears to state matters, convening with key figures like State Minister Priyank Kharge and Senior MLC B.K. Hariprasad.
Party insiders hint at a potential Delhi summons for the top duo within days, aiming to quash the unrest before it spirals.
High Command’s Quiet Maneuvers
AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge, wrapping up a five-day review in Bengaluru, landed in Delhi on November 25 for Constitution Day events and follow-up talks.
He sidestepped public commentary on the fray, stressing his role limits open disclosures.
Yet, sources say private sessions with Gandhi could pave the way for a formal resolution, echoing a 2023 pact that’s now under fresh scrutiny.
The buzz stems from repeated MLA pilgrimages to the capital, fueling whispers of cabinet tweaks or leadership swaps.
With elections on the horizon, the high command eyes stability to safeguard the party’s 2023 poll gains.
Siddaramaiah Seeks Swift Clarity
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pressed the leadership to intervene and dispel the fog, affirming MLAs’ rights to voice concerns.
He positioned the Delhi visits as routine expressions of opinion, not rebellion.
Recent statements from him underscore his willingness to stay put if endorsed from above, amid speculation he’s eyeing a full term through the 2028 assembly polls.
This plea arrives as loyalists on both sides maneuver quietly, testing alliances forged in the heat of past campaigns.
Shivakumar’s Dramatic Outreach
Deputy Shivakumar staged an impromptu airport rendezvous with Kharge en route to Delhi, underscoring their shared Bengaluru neighborhood ties.
Later, he downplayed public spats over the accord, calling it a private matter among a handful of stakeholders. “I’ve never chased the top seat; our boundaries are clear,” he asserted, vowing loyalty to Siddaramaiah as a party pillar.
Shivakumar pledged full backing for upcoming budgets and future battles, framing his stance as devotion to grassroots workers who’ve toiled for Congress victories.
Path to Party Harmony
As discussions stretch into November 26, the focus sharpens on bridging divides without alienating factions.
A balanced outcome could reinforce Karnataka as a Congress stronghold, but delays risk eroding public trust in the government’s delivery.
Core flashpoints:
- 2023 power-sharing terms.
- MLA lobbying in Delhi.
- Cabinet expansion rumors.