The ongoing unease within the Karnataka Congress leadership came into sharp focus during a public event in Mysuru district, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared visibly annoyed over a suggestion to name Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during his speech.
The occasion was the Sadhana Samavesha, an official government event organized to highlight the Congress administration’s achievements and unveil new initiatives. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in attendance initially, along with other senior leaders. However, DK Shivakumar abruptly departed for Bengaluru citing an emergency, just before the Chief Minister took to the podium.
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During the CM’s address, a Congress leader reportedly suggested he mention Shivakumar in his introduction. This drew an irritated reaction from Siddaramaiah. “DK Shivakumar is not here, right? Please go sit down. What kind of lawyer are you?” he snapped at the person who made the suggestion. He added, “You must name only those who are present on stage, not those who have left. That’s protocol.”
A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, prompting renewed attention on the internal dynamics of the Karnataka Congress leadership. Although Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have consistently presented a united front in public, such flare-ups often reveal underlying tensions.
Speculation around a possible leadership change has been circulating for months, with some in the Opposition BJP suggesting that Shivakumar could be preparing to take over as Chief Minister. Both leaders have dismissed such speculation, with Shivakumar reiterating his support for Siddaramaiah. However, occasional incidents like the one in Mysuru hint at unresolved friction.
The discord traces back to the aftermath of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, in which Congress secured a decisive victory. Shivakumar, then seen as instrumental to the party’s success, was a top contender for the CM post. However, party leadership ultimately selected Siddaramaiah, offering Shivakumar the role of Deputy CM and Karnataka Congress President. There were reports of a possible rotational Chief Minister arrangement between the two, but no official confirmation ever followed.
While the Congress high command has stated it has no intention of altering the state’s leadership, the Mysuru episode underlines the fragile balance the party continues to navigate within its own ranks.
