The Karnataka Congress leadership crisis has recently intensified as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge acknowledged the ongoing power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
Kharge stated that a high-level meeting involving himself, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi will soon be held to resolve the matter. Shivakumar downplayed media reports, asserting there is no confusion within Congress and stressing party unity, highlighting the collective strength of the 140 MLAs.
Shivakumar’s supporters, including several MLAs, are lobbying the party high command to honour a rumored 2023 power-sharing deal that would see Shivakumar replace Siddaramaiah.
Power Struggle and Political Uncertainty
The Congress government in Karnataka has reached the halfway mark of its tenure amid ongoing speculation about a leadership change. The power tussle stems from a controversial agreement from 2023, where it was reportedly decided that Siddaramaiah would complete part of his term before handing over the Chief Ministership to Shivakumar.
However, Shivakumar’s camp has grown impatient, with key MLAs travelling to Delhi in recent days to urge the top Congress leadership for a resolution. Siddaramaiah has dismissed media speculation as false, emphasising party unity and reiterating that all decisions rest with the high command.
Views from Leadership
Mallikarjun Kharge acknowledged the tussle but said the high command, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, would collectively resolve the matter. Deputy CM Shivakumar denied any confusion within the party and urged unity, highlighting that Congress has a strong group of 140 legislators.
He also stated he had not publicly demanded the Chief Ministership and spoke of a “secret deal” understood within senior leadership circles. Siddaramaiah praised Shivakumar’s contributions and said he would present the next state budget in March 2026, signalling his intent to complete the term unless directed otherwise.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This prolonged leadership dispute exposes the challenges political parties face in managing internal ambitions without losing focus on governance. For the people of Karnataka, this power struggle has created uncertainty that could affect administrative effectiveness and public service delivery.
Political parties must foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic processes to maintain stability and public trust.
