Open War Erupts Between Karnataka's Top Leaders
The simmering tension within Karnataka's Congress leadership exploded into public view on Thursday as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar engaged in an unprecedented social media confrontation. The open power struggle for the state's top post turned increasingly bitter with both leaders using cryptic messages and wordplay to target each other.
The Cryptic Exchange That Started It All
The political drama began when Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, posted a pointed message on X that appeared to be directed at Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar wrote, "WORD POWER IS WORLD POWER. The biggest force in the world is to keep one's word." He emphasized that "everyone has to walk the talk," in what many interpreted as a reminder to the chief minister about an alleged rotational agreement for the CM post.
This message holds significant political weight because Shivakumar has been eyeing the chief minister's position as part of what sources describe as a "secret deal" made in 2023 following the Congress party's sweeping victory in the assembly elections. The understanding reportedly involved a rotational chief ministership, though Siddaramaiah has repeatedly asserted that he will complete his full five-year term.
Siddaramaiah's Sharp Counterattack
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not take long to respond to his deputy's veiled challenge. In a cleverly crafted response that used similar language but with a completely different interpretation, Siddaramaiah hit back with his own post on X just hours later.
"A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people," Siddaramaiah wrote, directly countering Shivakumar's emphasis on "word power." He further asserted that "the mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years," making his position on completing his term unmistakably clear.
The chief minister went on to emphasize that the Congress party, including himself, was "walking the talk for our people with compassion, consistency, and courage." He concluded by stating that "Our Word to Karnataka is not a slogan, it means the World to us," effectively turning Shivakumar's messaging back against him.
Escalation Marks Significant Shift in Strategy
This direct confrontation between the two top state leaders represents a major escalation in the ongoing power struggle. Until now, the conflict had primarily been fought through supporters and proxies, with loyalists of both leaders engaging in verbal spats and media briefings.
However, with Siddaramaiah completing two-and-a-half years as chief minister, Shivakumar has clearly decided to intensify his campaign for the top position. The timing is particularly significant as it puts pressure on the party leadership to address the succession question.
Following his initial response, Siddaramaiah further strengthened his position by listing the various promises his government had fulfilled during his two tenures as chief minister, demonstrating his track record and commitment to the people of Karnataka.
Broader Implications for Congress Party
The open spat between Karnataka's two most powerful Congress leaders poses significant challenges for the party's high command. The public nature of this conflict could damage the Congress party's prospects in the state, even if the government manages to maintain stability for the immediate future.
Political observers note that the situation puts the Congress high command in a difficult position. They must now mediate between two strong regional leaders while ensuring that the public infighting doesn't weaken the party's position in one of its few stronghold states.
The ball is now firmly in the court of the Congress leadership in Delhi, who must find a way to resolve this escalating conflict before it causes irreparable damage to the party's unity and public image in Karnataka.
