Newly appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad on Thursday, 4 June, drew a sharp internal line in the state Congress, declaring that leaders chasing posts and power should align with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, while those committed to building the party machinery should work with him. The remarks, made in Bengaluru after a meeting with Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, are expected to deepen the simmering factional churn within the ruling Congress in the state.

What Hariprasad said

“Whoever wants power, let them go behind D.K. Shivakumar. Whoever wants to organise and strengthen the party can come with me. Let us share responsibilities and move forward together. I will assure party workers of this and stand with them,” Hariprasad told the media.

He insisted there was no veiled message in his comments, framing them strictly as a division of organisational responsibility. “Whoever wants power and posts can go with D.K. Shivakumar. Whoever wants to strengthen the organisation and support the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge can come with me. There is no hidden meaning in this,” he clarified.

Message to party workers

Hariprasad sought to reassure Congress cadres unsettled by the recent organisational reshuffle, promising that their welfare would be his priority. “Those who want to strengthen the party can come with us. Those who have worked at different levels in the government and organisation should join hands for strengthening the party,” he said, adding that organisational work would now move at a faster pace.

Nod to the high command

The KPCC chief invoked the central leadership, naming Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi as the anchors of the organisational push. “They are striving to build the party. If we want to strengthen their efforts, we should also come to the streets and participate in struggles,” he said.

The political backdrop

Sources indicated that Hariprasad's pointed remarks are aimed at former ministers reportedly lobbying intensely for cabinet berths in the Shivakumar-led arrangement. The comments land at a delicate moment for Karnataka Congress, where the long-running power-sharing question between Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister camps has continued to shape factional alignments since the party returned to power in 2023.

Notably, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara visited Hariprasad's Sadashivanagar residence to personally congratulate him on his KPCC appointment, even as the new president's debut remarks set the stage for fresh internal recalibration.

What to watch next

With Hariprasad signalling an organisation-first approach and Shivakumar's camp focused on government heft, the coming weeks could test whether the high command can keep the two tracks from colliding ahead of crucial local body and by-elections.