A fierce political showdown is unfolding in Karnataka’s ruling Congress party, with tensions flaring between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The latest flashpoint: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has flown into Bengaluru to mediate, as both camps jockey for influence.
Siddaramaiah has reportedly reached out to the high command, warning that unchecked infighting is harming governance and calling on senior leadership to intervene. Meanwhile, Shivakumar’s supporters, citing a 2.5-year power-sharing understanding, have held meetings with Kharge — escalating speculation that they want Shivakumar to take over as Chief Minister.
As the crisis deepens, analysts warn that the public spat could destabilize the state government. They say the infighting is becoming a distraction from governance, with key policy decisions and development files stalled amid the leadership turbulence.
The power struggle is now not just internal: it risks denting the Congress’s image ahead of future elections. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are important leaders in Karnataka, and how the high command resolves this could shape the party’s political fortunes in the state for years to come.
