BENGALURU: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar‘s determined refusal to step down as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president has intensified the internal power struggle within the party, even as the leadership in Delhi has signalled its backing for him-at least for now.
Shivakumar, who returned to Bengaluru after a two-day trip to Delhi, is said to have firmly conveyed to the Congress high command that he would not relinquish the party post unless he is assured the chief ministerial position.
Sources said the high command has, in turn, communicated to chief minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet loyalists-who have been pressing for Shivakumar’s removal-that there would be no leadership change in the state unit before the upcoming zilla and taluk panchayat elections later this year.
Observers believe Shivakumar’s insistence on retaining his KPCC post is closely tied to his next goal of becoming chief minister. Relinquishing it, they say, could weaken his political leverage within the party.
“There is an undercurrent of one-upmanship between the two stalwarts – Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar – to take control of Congress’ state unit. Shivakumar’s retention of the KPCC chief’s position is seen as a move to balance these internal power equations,” said political analyst Vishwas Shetty.
‘One man, one post’ capmpaign paused
The campaign to remove Shivakumar, led by a group of ministers close to Siddaramaiah-including cooperation minister KN Rajanna-was based on the party’s “one man, one post” principle. But the movement lost its momentum following a honeytrap controversy that shook the political establishment. Rajanna’s open admission that he was among 48 politicians targeted in the alleged plot, forced a temporary pause to the campaign.
Unmoved by the internal dissent, Shivakumar has asserted that leadership roles should be earned. “KPCC positions are not available in shops, nor can they be obtained by speaking to the media,” he said in a clear response to his critics.
Managing the twin roles of DCM with two significant portfolios of Bengaluru development and water resources and KPCC president has not been without a strain. A senior Congress functionary remarked, “Every morning, our Shivakumar struggles; we give him strength by saying we are with him.”
Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, who has emerged as a key aspirant for the top KPCC role, has publicly pushed for a leadership change. “There is a written note with the AICC general secretary (organisation) and MP KC Venugopal on the change of the KPCC chief after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” he insists, arguing that a dedicated president is crucial to building grassroots support ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.