In a significant move, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar traveled to New Delhi on Friday to meet with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior party leaders. This visit, their second within a month, comes at a time of heightened political tension in Karnataka, where the Congress is grappling with internal challenges and external controversies.
The primary agenda for this high-level meeting is to discuss the ongoing political developments in Karnataka, particularly in light of the recent controversy surrounding land allotments in Mysuru involving Siddaramaiah’s wife. On August 16, Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot sanctioned the filing of a police complaint against Siddaramaiah and others by three private individuals. The Chief Minister has since challenged this sanction in the Karnataka High Court, which has adjourned the matter until August 29, instructing special courts not to proceed with the filing of FIRs until further notice.
This controversy has put the Congress party in a delicate situation. The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Karnataka, however, has rallied behind Siddaramaiah. In a unanimous decision on Thursday, party legislators expressed their unwavering support for the Chief Minister. Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress chief, reiterated this solidarity, stating, “All our legislators have decided unanimously that they will stand by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Party workers across the state are also standing in solidarity with the CM.”
Despite the controversy, Congress insiders suggest that the party leadership is not considering an immediate change of guard in Karnataka. Instead, the high command is inclined to let the legal processes unfold before making any decisive moves. Sources indicate that Siddaramaiah may be encouraged to step down voluntarily only after he has crossed the halfway mark of his term, provided he can successfully navigate the legal challenges ahead.
The decision by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to proactively meet with the Congress leadership in Delhi signals their intent to keep the central command informed and aligned with the developments in Karnataka. This also reflects their awareness of the need to maintain a strong, unified front as the party navigates this turbulent period.
For the Congress, the situation in Karnataka is particularly sensitive. Siddaramaiah, a prominent leader from the backward Kuruba community, holds significant sway over a key voter base in the state. Any change in leadership could potentially disrupt the delicate caste balance that currently favors the Congress in Karnataka. This is a risk the party seems unwilling to take, especially with several legal and political battles looming on the horizon.
As the situation evolves, the Congress leadership in Delhi faces the difficult task of balancing political stability in Karnataka with the legal and ethical challenges presented by the controversy surrounding Siddaramaiah. The outcome of this high-stakes meeting and the subsequent legal proceedings will be crucial in determining the future of both Siddaramaiah’s leadership and the Congress party’s hold on power in Karnataka.