Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi on Wednesday has renewed speculation about a power tussle between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
While Shivakumar has played down the visit, saying he came to the national capital to attend a wedding and make arrangements for the December 14 ‘Vote Chori’ rally, the timing has once again reignited buzz about a possible leadership change.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Shivakumar said, “No political agenda. I have come here for my friend’s son’s wedding.”
He further clarified, “I also wanted to make arrangements for the December 14 Vote Chori rally. We are expecting more than 10,000 people from Karnataka. I wanted to discuss with my colleagues and other friends what arrangements we can make. As the party president, I have the responsibility for all this.”
When Siddaramaiah was asked about the visit, he said he would go to Delhi only when summoned. “Let him (Shivakumar) go. I will go only if I receive a call. I have not received a call so far,” he said.
The two leaders have long been entangled in a bittersweet power struggle in Karnataka. When the Congress won the Assembly elections in 2023, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were contenders for the chief minister’s post.
The Congress eventually chose the veteran Siddaramaiah, while Shivakumar was made his deputy. At the time, reports claimed that Shivakumar agreed to step aside under a power-sharing arrangement.
As per the purported formula, Siddaramaiah would remain chief minister for the first 2.5 years, and Shivakumar would helm the government for the remainder of the term.
However, this formula was never officially acknowledged by the Congress party.
With Siddaramaiah approaching the halfway mark of his tenure, the formula—real or perceived—has returned to haunt the Congress government in Karnataka, and Shivakumar’s Delhi visit has only intensified speculation.