The Karnataka Chief Minister’s post remains uncertain as the Congress party grapples with the decision after its resounding victory in the assembly elections. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge held meetings with the two contenders, DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, but the discussions were inconclusive. Kharge is attempting to strike a balance between the two leaders, and further meetings are scheduled for the next day. Both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have been asked to stay in Delhi while the deliberations continue.
During the meeting with Kharge, Shivakumar made it clear that he would not back down in the intense rivalry with Siddaramaiah, indicating a tense situation between the two leaders. However, Siddaramaiah reportedly has the support of the majority of MLAs. Siddaramaiah had spent a significant amount of time in Delhi, meeting with senior Congress leaders, fueling speculation that he is the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s position. When asked about an announcement, Siddaramaiah responded, “Let’s wait and see. I don’t know.”
The party’s leadership has been briefed on the views of the newly elected MLAs by the team of observers sent to the state. Kharge, along with senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, held discussions on the crucial question of selecting the Chief Minister, as it could impact the party’s prospects in the upcoming general elections.
Choosing either Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah could lead to alienating the other candidate as well as their respective support bases within and outside the party. Shivakumar’s selection could risk losing support from the politically significant Vokkaliga community, while Siddaramaiah’s appointment may lead to a loss of MLAs supporting him and the AHINDA platform, which represents minorities, Other Backward Classes, and Dalits who heavily favored the Congress.
Sources suggest that the party may announce the name of the next Karnataka Chief Minister within the next 24 hours. The Lingayat community, a politically influential group, has also expressed its desire for a leader from their community to hold the Chief Minister’s position. In a letter to Kharge, the Lingayat organization All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha highlighted the success of 34 out of 46 Lingayat leaders fielded by the Congress and urged the party to consider a Veerashaiva Lingayat community leader for the role.
DK Shivakumar, who canceled his visit to Delhi due to a stomach infection, arrived in the capital later in the day. He expressed his loyalty to the party, emphasizing his role in the Congress’s victory in Karnataka and his expectation of being rewarded for his contributions. Shivakumar also clarified that he would not rebel against the party, stating his commitment to unity and not dividing anyone.
In the recent assembly elections, the Congress secured a clear majority in Karnataka, winning 135 seats in the 224-member assembly. However, the competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister’s position has caused anxiety within the party. Siddaramaiah, known for his mass appeal and previously serving a full term as Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018, and Shivakumar, recognized for his strong organizational skills and troubleshooting abilities, both claim to have the support of the majority of MLAs.
Sources close to Shivakumar assert that Siddaramaiah has never been a committed party member and has not won any elections for Congress. The uncertainty surrounding the appointment of the Karnataka Chief Minister continues as the Congress leadership navigates through the complex dynamics and considerations involved in making this crucial decision.
