Siddaramaiah Vs Shivakumar Tussle Grows: What Options Does Congress High Command Have? | Politics News

Rahul Gandhi with Siddaramaiah | File Image

The Congress high command is preparing to summon Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to New Delhi. They now believe that some decision needs to be taken “fast” as the high command is quite “furious” with the unfolding political drama in Karnataka.

With both camps hardening positions and MLAs staging a steady procession to the capital, Delhi fears the spectacle is undermining the party at a crucial time.

Party sources say that the priority and top agenda of the meeting will be to instruct both leaders to immediately rein in their camps and stop public statements that are damaging the party’s image.

Sources say the leadership is concerned that the open airing of demands, counters and pressure tactics has dented the image of the Karnataka government and the Congress as a national party.

According to senior Congress insiders, the “ultimate call” on the Karnataka leadership question now rests with Rahul Gandhi.

News18 has learnt that within the high command’s core decision-making circle of six, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are said to be inclined and agreeable towards making DK Shivakumar the Chief Minister. Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, however, favour allowing Siddaramaiah to continue for the full term. The swing vote lies with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sources describe as “undecided” — and also personally invested.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have asked the high command to end the ongoing confusion over a possible transition, citing the damage caused by uncertainty around who the Chief Minister will be for the remainder of the term.

However, Congress top sources recreate that “No change of guard or cabinet reshuffle is expected before January–March”.

Meanwhile, a section of leaders close to Kharge has begun floating his name as a compromise Chief Ministerial option if the standoff becomes unmanageable. Kharge, a prominent Dalit face nationally, is also said to be weighing whether stepping into Karnataka politics could help the party consolidate its support base — or whether to continue his current position as AICC president. “This is something that both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi need to take a call on — whether they want to relieve Kharge, who has become more impactful nationally,” said a senior Congress leader from Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah’s camp is deeply upset about the narrative emerging from the Shivakumar side. Leaders say the sustained pressure and public noise from the DKS camp has created an impression that Siddaramaiah is “vachana brashta,” a leader who failed to keep his word. They argue that the CM has delivered on governance, guarantees and political stability, and insist there is no justification for removing him. “Any change made to the post of CM now will impact the prospects of the Congress in the upcoming elections. It shows the party as disjointed, and the Opposition will take full benefit of it,” said a senior Congress leader.

Senior leaders backing Siddaramaiah have sought clarity from the high command on whether there has been any lapse in governance, delivery of promises or CM performance to warrant his removal. They maintain the answer is no, and therefore see no basis for a leadership transition.

The high command will place multiple options before the CM and DCM when they are called to Delhi, sources say:

Option 1:

Both camps will be instructed to control their supporters, with gag orders issued until January. A final decision on cabinet reshuffle or leadership change may be discussed only after this cooling-off period. High command leaders are also worried that the ongoing SIR (state-wise review) exercise is being disrupted by the Karnataka power struggle.

Option 2:

A closed-door meeting will be held after hearing both sides, with a decision expected only after the budget in March. Until then, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be asked to demonstrate their support in terms of MLA numbers.

Option 3:

No transfer of power for now. But Siddaramaiah must agree that the planning, execution, campaign strategy and leadership for the 2028 elections will be handled by Shivakumar. The election would be fought with DKS projected as the face, with no other CM aspirant — including Satish Jarkiholi, Dr G Parameshwara, HC Mahadevappa or Eshwar Khandre among others — be allowed to enter the race.

Option 4:

Kharge’s rising national profile as a Dalit leader is being highlighted. Some senior Congressmen argue that having Kharge continue as AICC chief strengthens the party across India, as he is one of the few southern leaders who can speak Hindi fluently — the last being PV Narasimha Rao. This has helped connect with the people across the country . A leadership shift in Karnataka may undermine this momentum, it is being said.

Option 5:

A complete exchange of positions — Kharge as CM of Karnataka, and Siddaramaiah moving to Delhi as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly said he has “no interest in Delhi,” but sources say the high command may still present this as an option to end the deadlock.

Sources in Karnataka say the meeting between Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and the high command is likely on Sunday or Monday, with a final date expected to be communicated later today.

It is learnt from sources that during the recent one-on-one meeting between Kharge and Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru, the issue of power transfer was discussed. According to sources, when Kharge discussed the matter of transfer of power, Siddaramaiah reportedly said: “If there is any such idea, one communication from Rahul Gandhi is all that is needed.” This remark is said to have upset Kharge, who felt undermined as the party president.

Kharge has also been warned by senior Dalit leaders — including Dr G Parameshwara, HC Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi — that if DK Shivakumar is made CM, they may shift into a “non-cooperation mode.”

Religious leaders from influential mutts are now also weighing in, backing either Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar. While this may not directly influence the decision, the high command is monitoring how the endorsements impact regional blocs.

Siddaramaiah’s camp insists he will complete the full five-year term. Shivakumar’s camp says that if Siddaramaiah continues, then DKS must be declared the sole chief ministerial candidate for the 2028 elections, with no parallel contenders. Shivakumar also seeks Satish Jarkiholi — Siddaramaiah’s close confidant — on his side.

The recent meeting between Shivakumar and Satish Jarkiholi was aimed at gauging the Siddaramaiah camp’s response to the growing calls for making Shivakumar the next CM.

Leaders in the Siddaramaiah camp say the DK faction has aggressively amplified the narrative that Siddaramaiah did not honour an unwritten power-sharing commitment. “There is this campaign that is being run, but what happened was decided behind closed doors where only seven or eight people knew,” said a source.

A few months ago, during internal discussions, when Siddaramaiah was told that if the situation arose at 2.5 years he might have to hand over power, he reportedly responded: “Let’s see.” The DKS camp has latched onto this line as evidence that Siddaramaiah had implicitly agreed.

A senior minister said: “The government is spending more time clarifying who the CM is rather than focusing on development. This unnecessary noise is affecting administration. Legislators can convey views internally, not publicly.”

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar continue to maintain that they will abide by the high command’s final decision.