BENGALURU: The simmering turf warfare between chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar spilled into the open as soon as once more on Wednesday, this time over the switch of 5 senior engineers marking the newest flashpoint in a rising collection of energy tussles between the state’s two strongest leaders. It has emerged, quite late, that Shivakumar, who additionally holds the Water Sources portfolio, despatched a proper letter to chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh, directing her to “instantly withdraw” the switch orders issued by the Division of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), which operates underneath the chief minister. The engineers from the Public Works Division (PWD) have been transferred on 9 Might to key posts throughout the Water Sources Division, together with divisions dealing with interstate water disputes, the Neeravari irrigation tasks, the politically delicate Yettinahole mission, the Command Space Improvement Authority (CADA) and the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Improvement Company. What triggered Shivakumar’s intervention was not simply the transfers themselves, however the method through which they have been carried out — with out his consent. In a written notice dated 13 Might, Shivakumar reminded the chief secretary that the foundational settlement between cupboard colleagues when the Congress authorities was fashioned was clear: “No transfers or appointments associated to my division needs to be made with out my specific approval.” “These transfers have been carried out with none reference to the involved minister in cost,” Shivakumar famous, including that such selections “violate protocol and undermine ministerial authority.” Among the many engineers shifted was BH Manjunath, at present posted within the police housing company, who is because of retire on 31 Might. The DPAR order directed a brand new engineer to report prematurely to the publish anticipated to fall vacant. Whereas CM Siddaramaiah has not responded to the newest directive, political circles view the sequence of occasions as one more chapter within the ongoing chilly warfare between the 2 leaders — every keen to claim management over their administrative domains. This isn’t the primary time the 2 have clashed over bureaucratic issues. Earlier disagreements have emerged over funds allocations, cupboard portfolios, and appointments to boards and firms. Although typically papered over in public statements, the unease has turn out to be more and more tough to hide. Observers throughout the Congress admit that the management construction in Karnataka — the place the CM and DCM are each tall leaders with chief ministerial ambitions has led to frequent friction, particularly over high-stakes departments resembling Bengaluru improvement, water assets and public works. The chief secretary has but to reply to Shivakumar’s directive. It stays to be seen whether or not the transfers will probably be reversed or if the confrontation prompts a recalibration of boundaries between the CM’s workplace and Shivakumar’s ministries.