What Happened
The top Congress leaders in Karnataka—Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar—have stopped fighting with each other after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stepped in to resolve their dispute.
The Problem
For several months, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar (commonly known as DKS) had been in a tense power struggle over the Chief Minister’s position. DKS believed that when the Congress won the 2023 elections, there was an internal understanding that he would take over as Chief Minister after 2.5 years—and that period had now ended. His supporters in the state assembly began pushing more aggressively for this transition.
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah’s supporters argued that he should continue in the role, claiming that the AHINDA communities (minorities, backward classes, and Dalit groups) had greater trust in his leadership.
The dispute quickly became a major concern for the Congress party, as it created an impression of internal conflict and a weakened government. Rival parties, particularly the BJP, took advantage of the situation to criticise the Congress and question its stability.
Rahul Gandhi Steps In
Late last week, Rahul Gandhi learned about the power-sharing promise and decided to intervene. According to reports, he was unhappy that two senior Congress leaders were creating internal division and giving the opposition fresh opportunities to attack the party. Through state minister Priyank Kharge, Rahul conveyed a firm message to both leaders: end the infighting and work together.
During his conversation with Priyank Kharge, Rahul Gandhi did more than just express displeasure. He also sought updates on key matters such as the caste survey and Karnataka’s readiness for upcoming elections. This made it clear that he wanted the state leadership to concentrate on governance and organisation rather than internal power struggles.
The Breakfast Meeting
After receiving Rahul Gandhi’s message on Friday night, Siddaramaiah and DKS agreed to meet. They had breakfast together on Saturday and later appeared jointly before the media.
During the briefing, Siddaramaiah said, “Breakfast was very good. We want to put an end to the prevailing confusion. Our mission is clear. We aim to focus on the local body elections, followed by the 2028 Assembly elections. There is no difference between me and DKS—neither now nor earlier.”
DKS echoed this message of unity, stating, “Both of us have full trust in our leadership. We will follow whatever the party high command decides. Whatever the Chief Minister says, I agree with him.”
What This Means
Even though the breakfast meeting was brief—lasting only about 10 minutes—it sent a strong message: the Congress leadership in Karnataka is now presenting a united front and focusing on the work ahead. Both Siddaramaiah and DKS stated that they would accept whatever decision the national Congress leadership makes regarding the Chief Minister’s position.
Meanwhile, the Congress high command in Delhi—including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior leaders—will continue discussions on how to resolve the issue. The party aims to finalize its decision on Karnataka’s leadership before the Parliament’s winter session begins on December 1.
Why This Matters
This situation is significant because Karnataka is one of only three states where the Congress is currently in power. With the next state elections scheduled for 2028, the party needs to project unity and strength to maintain its position. Public infighting among senior leaders weakens the government and erodes public confidence in the Congress.
By intervening and encouraging both leaders to work together, Rahul Gandhi has demonstrated that the Congress high command is ready to take firm decisions to protect the party’s stability. Whether this renewed unity will hold will become clear in the coming weeks, as the national leadership prepares to make its final decision on Karnataka’s leadership.
Key Points to Remember:
With the public disagreement now halted, the final decision on the Chief Minister’s position will rest with the Congress high command. Both Siddaramaiah and DKS have assured that they will fully accept whatever the party leadership decides.
