- By Raju Kumar
- Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karnataka Power Tussle: The power tussle between two Karnataka Congress stalwarts - Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, once again draws attention. There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of the Assembly election results on May 20, 2023. The buzz for the leadership change was so strong that AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, had to come forward on Friday. He issued a stern warning to the party's MLAs and leaders against making any public statements on the issue of leadership.
The leadership change controversy has revived after a state minister and several MLAs loyal to Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi, where they met the Congress high command—signalling an escalating power struggle within the ruling party.
What DK Shivakumar Said On Leadership Change?
Meanwhile, on speculations around the CM post in the state, Shivakumar said,"Making a group is not in my blood. All 140 MLAs are my MLAs. CM decided that he would reshuffle the government, the cabinet. So, all of them are interested in becoming ministers. It is natural that they will go and meet the leaders in Delhi. Apart from that, what can I say? They have every right. I have not taken anyone."
Speaking to reporters, he further said, "Some of them (MLAs) went and met Kharge sahab. They met the CM also. What is wrong? It is their life. No one has called them, they are voluntarily going and showing their faces. They wanted to show their presence that they are in the forefront, can work and they want responsibility."
What Surjewala Said On The Issue
Congress MP said claimed that the sole idea is to undermine the stellar achievements and the five Congress government guarantees, which have become an outstanding model of inclusive development and distributive justice.
Surjewala also accused a "decisively defeated and faction-ridden" BJP, along with a section of the media, of "running a maligning campaign" against the Congress government in the state.
"Had a discussion with Karnataka CM and Deputy CM and they agreed that a decisively defeated and faction ridden Karnataka BJP, along with a section of the media, are designedly running a maligning campaign against Karnataka and its Congress government," he alleged in a post on 'X'.
"INC has sternly warned them from making any public statements on the issue of leadership or falling for the agenda being propagated by the vested interests. The opinion of various party functionaries has been taken note of by the leadership," Surjewala added.
Congress Minister, MLAs Loyal To Shivakumar Visit Delhi, Sparking Speculations
On Thursday, a minister and few MLAs loyal to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met the Congress top brass in New Delhi, indicating a power tussle in the ruling party.
The development came a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completed two-and-a-half years in office. The Congress had managed to convince Shivakumar and make him the deputy chief minister. There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become chief minister after two-and-a-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party. However, Siddaramaiah rejected these reports and asserted that he would be the chief minister for five years.
(With PTI inputs)