Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar Post Joint Photos Amid Leadership Speculation

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought to project unity within the Congress party by sharing photographs with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during a government event in Bengaluru. The images surfaced amid escalating discussions regarding a potential leadership change within the state’s ruling party. The event marked the inauguration of the “Suvarna Mahotsava” of the Integrated Child Development Scheme at Palace Grounds, which coincided with the celebration of Children’s Day and the presentation of World Senior Citizens’ Day awards.

In his post on social media platform X, Siddaramaiah emphasized their collaborative efforts in launching significant departmental schemes, including the Griha Lakshmi Sahakara App, attended by several ministers. The timing of this display of camaraderie comes as speculation mounts around an alleged power-sharing agreement between the two leaders, a narrative that has persisted since the Congress regained power in Karnataka in 2023.

As political tensions rise, Shivakumar addressed reporters, mentioning plans to visit Delhi for pending matters. He indicated that Siddaramaiah is also expected to travel to the national capital for the upcoming Assembly session. The Karnataka government reached its halfway mark on November 20, 2023, reigniting discussions about the possibility of a leadership transition. The Congress party has repeatedly denied such claims, yet speculation continues to proliferate across the state.

Congress Member of the Legislative Council BK Hariprasad attempted to quell the rumors, asserting that the party remains unified and that leadership issues are under the control of the party’s high command. He stated, “There is no confusion, everybody has confidence in the high command; they will take a call on every issue.”

The opposition party, BJP, has seized the opportunity to intensify its criticism. National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla characterized the situation as indicative of ongoing internal conflicts within the Congress. He stated, “The Congress party has now started fighting openly in public in Karnataka, and yet another episode has been added to this ongoing OTT series of ‘Congress vs Congress’ in Karnataka.” Poonawalla referenced previous comments made by both leaders regarding power dynamics, suggesting that their focus has shifted from governance to internal power struggles.

Conversely, Pawan Khera, a Congress leader speaking from Guwahati, dismissed the notion of an internal conflict, stating, “There is no power tussle.” He also rebuffed suggestions that the BJP might pursue a no-confidence motion against the Karnataka government, confidently asserting that the party would prevail in future elections.

The political landscape in Karnataka has been particularly charged since the results of the Assembly elections on May 20, 2023. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were contenders for the Chief Minister position, and while the Congress managed to secure Shivakumar as Deputy Chief Minister, reports of a rotational chief ministership have emerged but remain unverified by official channels. Siddaramaiah has firmly rejected these notions, reiterating his commitment to serve a full five-year term.

As the Congress navigates these turbulent waters, the public and political observers alike are keenly watching how the dynamics between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar unfold, particularly in the lead-up to the next election cycle.