Source News 18
BENGALURU — Following the official resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a high-stakes backroom transition is underway within the ruling Congress party. Even as the high command finalizes the elevation of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to the top post, the Siddaramaiah camp has launched an aggressive bargaining strategy to prevent a total shift of the power balance.
According to party insiders, loyalists of the outgoing leader are pushing heavily for the creation of four Deputy Chief Minister positions under Shivakumar. The move is designed to ensure that Siddaramaiah’s strong AHINDA support base—an acronym representing Alpasankhyataru (Minorities), Hindulidavaru (Backward Classes), and Dalits—retains decisive influence in the newly reconstituted state cabinet.
The Power-Sharing Puzzle
While D.K. Shivakumar is reportedly resistant to sharing power with multiple deputies, sources indicate he may be forced to accept at least some conditions to guarantee a smooth transition. The Congress High Command—including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi—is meeting with both leaders in New Delhi to hammer out the final blueprint.
The Siddaramaiah faction has laid down distinct conditions before the incoming Chief Minister takes the oath:
Multiple Deputy CMs: Appointing four deputies representing key social demographics (OBCs, Dalits, Lingayats, and Minorities) to dilute centralized control.
Choosing the Next Party Chief: The Siddaramaiah camp wants a loyalist appointed as the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, a vital role currently held by Shivakumar.
Why the Shake-Up Matters
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation today, officially dissolving the current Council of Ministers. The transition marks the culmination of a long-standing power-sharing agreement brokered when Congress won the state in 2023.
With the cabinet being reconstituted completely afresh, political analysts point out that Shivakumar faces a delicate tightrope walk. Sidelining Siddaramaiah’s camp could lead to severe internal friction, especially since the veteran leader has made it clear he has no intention of fading into retirement and will remain a highly active force in Karnataka politics.
The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting will be officially convened in Bengaluru once the high command finalizes the exact numbers and names of the new cabinet.
