Siddu vs D.K. once more

The power tussle in Karnataka between the supporters of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief D.K. Shivakumar appears to be unending. The latest round is currently on and i coincides with Siddu completing two and a half years in office.

- PANKAJ VOHRA

‘The significance of the timeline is that it has been widely believed that at the time of swearing in, in 2023, there had been a power sharing agreement wherein Siddaramaiah was to be the CM for the first two and a half years, and D-K. Shivakumar subsequently. The Congress high command has not officially commented on this supposed deal, but both sides have been presenting their opinion time and again.

Siddaramaiah, who apparently has the support of majority of legislatures, is in no mood to give in and has made it abundantly clear that he was going nowhere and would complete the full five-year term. He has been operating through some of his trusted lieutenants, who, in order to put Shivakumar on the defensive, have been demanding that the principle of one man one post should be observed and the state should get a new PCC chief.

In this context, multiple names have been suggested, and the CM is keen that an eminent person from the Lingayat community should hold that position, since it would be also sending a clear message to the BJP, which enjoys the support of majority of Lingayats. It is argued that Shivakumar isa Vokkaliga, who have in the past been supporters of former Prime Minister H.D. Deva Gowda, and whose party hasan understanding with the BJP.