Is the internal turmoil in the Congress in Karnataka a sign of some major change? Has the clashing slogans of DKS-Siddaramaiah factions in Mangaluru pushed the high command towards a difficult decision? Is there any hidden truth behind the unity of the party?
Karnataka Congress Crisis: The politics of Karnataka is heating up again these days. Efforts are being made continuously to make everything fine between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (DKS), but the ground situation seems to be telling a different story. What happened in Mangaluru has once again raised the question whether the Congress high command will now have to take strict steps?
DK supporters started shouting slogans in front of KC Venugopal
When AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal reached Mangaluru Airport, DK Shivakumar’s supporters suddenly started raising slogans in front of him. After some time, Siddaramaiah’s supporters also arrived and started showing their strength by raising slogans of “Full term CM Siddaramaiah”. This whole matter suddenly reached such a turn that it seemed as if two big faces of the Congress government were demonstrating power through their supporters.
Has the discussion of changing CM in Karnataka intensified again?
The Congress government in Karnataka has completed 2.5 years just a few days ago, and this is the time when the discussion about ‘rotational CM formula’ has arisen again. Although the Congress high command never officially approved this formula, a large section of party workers still believe that an informal agreement of “2.5 years Siddaramaiah-2.5 years DKS” was reached. The coming face to face of supporters of both the leaders in Mangaluru shows that somewhere within the cadre, expectations, confusion and restlessness are increasing.
Supporters’ sloganeering: Is it just emotions or internal strife?
Mithun Rai, a leader close to Shivakumar, said there is no enmity within the party. There is “natural love” for DK Shivakumar in the minds of the public and workers. But the question is, if everything is fine, then why did such a large number of supporters suddenly reach the airport? On the other hand, as soon as Siddaramaiah arrived, his supporters raised slogans of full term CM. This clearly shows that there is an equally strong crowd in support of Siddaramaiah. Such an atmosphere is not created by any small thing, rather it is the result of emotions that have been boiling within for a long time.
Will the Congress high command now take decisive steps?
The Congress leadership is still saying that both the leaders are united and there is no difference of any kind. The frequent “breakfast meetings” between the two were also planned to convey the same message. But the incident in Mangaluru is a warning to the high command—that the insecurity emerging among the workers and expectations of change in leadership are now coming out on the streets. The situation is sensitive for the party leadership as Karnataka is home to one of the strongest Congress governments, and any difference of opinion could have a major impact on the upcoming elections.
Will DKS become CM? Or will Siddaramaiah complete the full term?
This is the biggest question.
- The party says that the high command will decide.
- Activists say the time has come.
- The government says everything is fine.
- But events continue to indicate that something big is brewing.
The coming weeks will decide whether this noise in Karnataka Congress is just the sentiment of the workers or the knock of a major change.