Congress Grapples with Familiar Political Crisis in Karnataka
The Congress party is experiencing a strong sense of déjà vu as a political crisis threatens the stability of its government in Karnataka. The grand old party finds itself confronting internal power struggles that echo similar situations from its recent past, testing the crisis management capabilities of its high command once again.
The Root of the Current Crisis
The ongoing power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has reached a critical point, forcing the top leadership into emergency meetings. Ironically, the seeds of this current crisis were planted two-and-a-half years ago when both regional stalwarts claimed the chief minister's position following the party's emphatic victory over the BJP in the 2023 assembly elections.
The central question haunting Congress supporters is whether the party leadership has failed to act timely yet again. This pattern of delayed decision-making has previously cost the party dearly in other states, raising concerns about Karnataka's political future.
Historical Parallels: MP and Rajasthan Precedents
The current Karnataka situation bears striking resemblance to Congress's handling of leadership conflicts in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Madhya Pradesh, when Jyotiraditya Scindia sought a leadership role, Congress backed veteran heavyweights Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh. This decision prompted Scindia to quit the party and join BJP, ultimately bringing down the Congress government.
The subsequent assembly elections saw Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh failing miserably against BJP, leaving Congress in political doldrums while Scindia became a Union minister.
In Rajasthan, a similar scenario unfolded when Sachin Pilot, who as state president had led Congress to emphatic victory in 2018, sought the chief minister's chair. The party again backed veteran Ashok Gehlot, who had previously led the party to defeat in 2013. Despite the Gandhi family convincing Pilot to stay with the party after his rebellion, Gehlot couldn't secure victory in the 2024 elections.
Karnataka's Repeating Pattern
The script appears familiar in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah, who served as chief minister in 2013 and led the party to defeat in 2018, was given the top post again despite DK Shivakumar's crucial role as state Congress president in securing the 2023 victory. Shivakumar remained defiant for almost a week before relenting, and now claims knowledge of a secret deal involving five-six people about rotating the chief minister position.
Congress high command, true to its recent form, allowed the crisis to escalate until factionalism became public, only then attempting to broker a truce. This last-minute crisis management might temporarily save the Karnataka government, but the open power struggle risks damaging the party's image and electoral prospects.
The Congress had achieved a historic victory against BJP in Karnataka in 2023, but instead of consolidating gains, the party finds itself managing internal power plays. The leadership needed to anticipate this crisis and balance interests between Siddaramaiah, who is past his prime, and Shivakumar, who represents the party's future leadership potential.
As the old adage goes, a stitch in time saves nine - a lesson Congress leadership seems to repeatedly ignore. How the high command navigates this crisis will significantly impact the party's prospects in the 2028 assembly elections, potentially determining whether the grand old party loses yet another state due to internal mismanagement.
