Is There a Leadership Crisis Between CM Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar?

Bengaluru, July 9 (NationPress) In the midst of a leadership struggle within the Congress government of Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also serves as the State Congress President, visited the residence of party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi on Wednesday.

This meeting has ignited new discussions surrounding the leadership dynamics in the state and has brought back into focus the power-sharing arrangement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Sources indicate that Shivakumar engaged in a conversation with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for approximately 30 minutes.

However, he refrained from providing specific details, simply stating that he had gone to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's home.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also in Delhi and has requested a meeting with Rahul Gandhi for a private discussion.

Speaking to the press, Siddaramaiah confirmed this intention and expressed his desire to meet Rahul Gandhi if an appointment is secured.

Sources have also revealed that the Congress high command has arranged a probable meeting for Wednesday evening to deliberate on political developments in Karnataka.

Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and other senior party figures are anticipated to attend.

Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar are expected to be present, with the meeting likely addressing the ongoing leadership concerns.

The Congress high command appears to be taking this situation seriously, as any discord between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar could directly impact the stability of the Karnataka government.

While Siddaramaiah has maintained that he will continue in his role for the remainder of the term, Shivakumar has largely held back from making any outright statements.

Nonetheless, Shivakumar's supporters have been vocal in their calls for him to assume the Chief Minister's position.

The recent visit from AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and his individual meetings with party MLAs are seen as efforts to gauge sentiments regarding the Chief Minister's role.

On the other hand, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and senior BJP figure, R. Ashoka, criticized Congress, asserting that Siddaramaiah has effectively taken the "boarding pass" to exit the Chief Minister's office.

"There is no doubt about his (Siddaramaiah's) exit. It's already decided. I'm not guessing," Ashoka stated.

Despite these tensions, both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar publicly demonstrated unity by traveling together in the same vehicle to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi.

However, insiders suggest that the relationship between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar remains strained.