Karnataka power tussle: More pro-Shivakumar MLAs fly to Delhi

Another group of legislators aligned with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has flown to New Delhi to meet senior Congress leaders, as the power tussle over a possible change of chief minister intensifies in Karnataka, party sources told The Federal on Monday (November 24).

According to these sources, at least six MLAs reached the national capital late on Sunday (November 23), with more expected to follow. The lawmakers are reportedly heading to Delhi to push Shivakumar’s case for the chief minister’s post, they added.

Leadership battle heats up

The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, citing an alleged “power-sharing” agreement involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.

Also read | Kharge breaks silence, says decision on Karnataka CM rests with high command

Among the legislators in Delhi include MLAs HC Balakrishna (Magadi), KM Uday (Maddur), Nayana Motamma (Mudigere), Iqbal Hussain (Ramanagara), Sharath Bachegowd (Hosakote), and Shivaganga Basavaraj (Channagiri), party sources said.

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is in Bengaluru, is scheduled to travel to Delhi on Tuesday, while senior party leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to return from a trip abroad too, sources added. After two days of meetings in Bengaluru, Kharge has reportedly gathered detailed inputs from state leaders and is preparing a full report for Rahul.

Last week, some legislators, about 10 of them, supporting Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi and met Kharge, as the Congress government completed two and a half years in office on November 20. Shivakumar, however, had then said he was not aware of legislators travelling to Delhi to meet Kharge.

Siddaramaiah signals full term

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he would continue in office if the Congress high command wished him to do so. He earlier held more than an hour-long meeting with Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru.

Also read | Siddaramaiah denies Karnataka leadership change after meeting Kharge

The final decision on any change of leadership rests with the high command, he noted, adding that both he and Shivakumar would abide by whatever it decides.

While Siddaramaiah is pushing for a reshuffle of his Cabinet, Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on leadership change, party sources said.

According to Siddaramaiah, four-five months ago, the high command had agreed for a Cabinet reshuffle, but he had suggested that the government should complete 2.5 years in office. The CM said, “Now we will follow whatever the high command decides.”

Shivakumar reminded Kharge of ‘promise’

Siddaramaiah is said to have told Kharge that rumours of a change in chief minister are creating confusion, and asked for permission to reshuffle the cabinet to streamline governance.

Kharge held a separate meeting with Shivakumar too, along with several ministers and MLAs. Shivakumar reportedly reminded him of the promise made during government formation — that he would become the chief minister after two and a half years. He has asked Kharge to ensure that this commitment is honoured.

Home Minister G Parameshwara has also entered the discussion, demanding that if the CM post changes, a Dalit leader should be considered, and he should be given the opportunity.

Final decision rests with Rahul?

According to several party insiders, if the Congress high command approves the Cabinet reshuffle, it would signal that Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term, which will scuttle the chances of Shivakumar’s occupying the coveted post.

Also read: Parameshwara signals CM ambition as Karnataka leadership debate heats up

Rahul Gandhi returns to Delhi tomorrow, and Kharge will apparently brief him immediately. Based on his report, Rahul is expected to decide whether there will be a Cabinet reshuffle or a leadership change — a decision that all Karnataka Congress leaders are now waiting for.

Kharge confirmed in Bengaluru that he will leave for Delhi tomorrow. Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, “Yes, I am going to Delhi tomorrow,” but he did not make any comment about meeting Rahul. His silence has added more curiosity to the ongoing leadership crisis in Karnataka Congress.