The power struggle within Karnataka's ruling Congress party over the possibility of a change in Chief Minister has escalated, with another group of legislators backing Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar travelling to New Delhi to meet with the party's high command, according to party sources this Monday.
Sources indicate that at least six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) landed in the national capital on Sunday evening. A few more legislators are expected to travel soon, aiming to lobby for Shivakumar to take over as Chief Minister.
The internal party tussle has intensified amid swirling speculation regarding a leadership change in the state. This follows the Congress government reaching the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20, which sparked renewed discussion of an alleged "power-sharing" agreement struck between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar back in 2023.
The MLAs currently in Delhi are HC Balakrishna, KM Uday, Nayana Motamma, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bachegowd and Shivaganga Basavaraj.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is currently in Bengaluru, is scheduled to travel to Delhi shortly. Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi is also expected to return from a trip abroad, sources added, setting the stage for high-level meetings to address the internal crisis.
It is noted that last week, approximately ten legislators supporting Shivakumar had already travelled to New Delhi to meet Kharge, just as the Congress government marked 2.5 years in office on November 20. At that time, however, Shivakumar had claimed he was unaware of the legislators travelling to Delhi to meet the party chief.
Following the movement of legislators backing Shivakumar, CM Siddaramaiah held a meeting lasting over an hour with Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Sources within the party suggest that the core of the current conflict lies in differing priorities. CM Siddaramaiah is pushing for a Cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar is pressing the party to first decide on a leadership change.
Several party insiders believe that if the Congress high command approves the Cabinet reshuffle, it would send a clear signal that Siddaramaiah is set to complete the full five-year term, effectively undermining Shivakumar's chances of occupying the coveted top post.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah on Monday said if the Congress high command decides that he should continue in the post he will do so. The high command will ultimately decide on the leadership change, he said, adding that he and Shivakumar should accept it.
Also read: Shivakumar loyalists seek power shift in Karnataka
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