The continuing power tussle in the Karnataka unit of Congress resurfaced on Thursday as influential Vokkaliga seer Chandrashekar Swamiji urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for the ascension of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. The remarks were made at an event where the seer was sharing the stage with Siddaramaiah as well as Shivakumar.
Chandrashekar Swamiji said that while several leaders have enjoyed the fruits of their labour, Shivakumar was yet to get his due. “Everyone has become Chief Minister and enjoyed power. Our DK Shivakumar hasn’t become Chief Minister yet,” he said.
The remarks betrayed the sense of calm that the Congress has sought to portray in Karnataka after a bitter struggle for the Chief Minister’s chair between its two top leaders. After storming to power with a decisive mandate in the elections held last year, the government formation in Karnataka witnessed a stalemate as Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar laid claim to the CM’s chair. The impasse was resolved eventually after the intervention of Congress president and senior Karnataka leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
It was then reported that a power-sharing formula had been agreed upon under which both leaders would be chief minister for two and a half years each. On record, Shivakumar maintains that the final decision shall always rest with the party’s high command and has never sought to give credence to any rumours or speculations in this regard.
On his part, Siddaramaiah has never made two bones about his intention to complete his full term of five years in office as Chief Minister. Karnataka minister MB Patil, considered a close confidante of Siddaramaiah, also said recently that the incumbent CM would complete his full term, dismissing any speculation about a power-sharing formula.
Patil further claimed that there has been no indication from the Congress’ top leadership regarding a change of chief minister following the Lok Sabha elections.