After months of intense speculation, the Congress high command has finally stepped in to address the growing leadership crisis in Karnataka. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge confirmed in Delhi on Wednesday that the party's top leadership will convene to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the chief minister's position.
High Command Intervention
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge revealed that the party's top leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, would collectively make a decision to end the ongoing speculation. The crucial meeting is likely to take place in Delhi on November 29, where senior party functionaries, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, are expected to be present.
Speaking about the impending meeting, Shivakumar maintained his characteristic ambiguity, stating, "Twenty-ninth is still far away, let's see. I don't know." However, he emphasized that any decision regarding the chief minister's post or transfer of power would ultimately rest with the party high command.
Power-Sharing Deal Controversy
The political drama intensified as Deputy CM Shivakumar repeatedly claimed the existence of a secret power-sharing agreement made during the 2023 elections. Shivakumar insisted that 5-6 party functionaries were aware of this unwritten pact that supposedly guaranteed him the chief minister's position after the government completed half its term.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, growing increasingly impatient with the persistent speculation, has urged the high command to clarify the situation and end the confusion. Meanwhile, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge acknowledged that discussions had indeed occurred between a few individuals, though the exact nature of these discussions remains known only to the participants.
Contradicting Shivakumar's claims, minister K J George, who belongs to the Siddaramaiah camp, outright denied the existence of any such power-sharing agreement, further complicating the political narrative.
Late-Night Political Maneuvering
Adding fuel to the political fire, a late Tuesday night meeting between Shivakumar and his long-time rival, cabinet colleague Satish Jarkiholi, sparked fresh speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations. The two leaders met at an undisclosed location in Bengaluru, with discussions reportedly continuing past midnight.
While both leaders publicly described their meeting as routine party coordination focused on preparations for the 2028 assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections, sources close to Shivakumar revealed a different agenda. According to these sources, the deputy chief minister sought Jarkiholi's support in persuading Siddaramaiah to honor the alleged unwritten pact that would see him step down at the halfway mark.
The timing of this meeting is particularly significant given the strained relations between Shivakumar and Jarkiholi, especially concerning political dominance in Belagavi, Jarkiholi's stronghold. Shivakumar had previously openly backed state minister Laxmi Hebbalkar against Jarkiholi in the region.
As the November 29 meeting approaches, all eyes remain on Delhi, where the Congress high command's decision could potentially reshape Karnataka's political landscape and determine the future leadership of the state.
