Karnataka CM tussle: Two breakfasts later, Sidda–DKS standoff persists — why it is a Catch-22 scenario for Congress excessive command | India Information – The Occasions of India

NEW DELHI: Loads can occur over a cup of espresso. However even after two breakfasts between Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumarthe query over the chief ministerial publish in Karnataka nonetheless stays unanswered.Because the Congress authorities reached the midway mark within the state, stories quoting Congress sources steered that MLAs and MLCs from Shivakumar’s faction had camped in Delhi to push the celebration excessive command to make him the following chief minister.Now, each Siddaramaiah and DKS are trying in direction of the celebration excessive command in Delhi for solutions.Nevertheless, the cleanup activity for the celebration excessive command is just not going to be simple, as that is past personalities. The Karnataka tussle incorporates loyalty, fine-tuned caste arithmetic and the way forward for Congress within the state.Sidda vs DKS: A protracted rivalrySiddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar collectively scripted the victory for Congress within the meeting elections in 2023. Whereas Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA (Minorities, backward courses and Dalits) countered Bharatiya Janata Social gathering’s Lingayat-Brahmin voter base, Shivakumar was credited for managing the organizational equipment within the celebration.Nevertheless, even throughout the run-up to the elections, the rift between each the leaders was clearly seen. Throughout the marketing campaign, Sidda and DKS had been hardly ever seen collectively sharing a stage. It was solely on the eleventh hour that Karnataka celebration president Shivakumar met Siddaramaiah to place up a united entrance and convey supporters of each the leaders collectively.

Regardless of being the pillars of the celebration within the state, the leaders are polar opposites.

Effective-tuned caste arithmeticAfter Congress received in Karnataka, the excessive command was in a repair over the CM face. After days of deliberation, the celebration went forward with Siddaramaiah’s title given his seniority and recognition. Nevertheless, an settlement was reportedly reached that DK Shivakumar would take over the reins within the second half of the federal government.Not too long ago, DKS confirmed the “secret deal” after he claimed that there had certainly been “a confidential understanding on management transition amongst five-six leaders” quickly after Congress received a landslide within the 2023 elections.“That is confidential. I do not need to communicate publicly on this,” he added.Now after the 2 and a half years are accomplished, a number of seers from the Vokkaliga group are supporting Shivakumar’s declare to the chief ministership, emphasizing that the group had not held the publish for the reason that early 2000s. This has created further strain on the celebration as Vokkaligas have round 13–14 p.c share in Karnataka’s inhabitants, making it the second-most dominant landowning caste after Lingayats.In the meantime, Siddaramaiah, 79 years outdated, is the tallest Kuruba chief Karnataka has seen. The Kurubas, a major OBC group forming round 6–7% of the inhabitants, have traditionally lacked an undisputed mass chief till Siddaramaiah constructed his political philosophy round them.Moreover, Sidda has additionally constructed a assist base among the many AHINDA group, countering the dominance of Lingayats and Vokkaligas.This has added to the dilemma of the excessive command as choosing Sidda would imply sidelining Vokkaligas and going with DKS would imply trying over the AHINDA and Kurubas.Way forward for CongressAmid the continuing tussle over the chief ministerial publish, the hazard of shedding majority within the Vidhan Soudha is looming over the Congress authorities’s head.There are 23 Vokkaliga MLAs within the grand outdated celebration who’re supporting DKS. In a situation the place the Congress excessive command decides to proceed with Siddaramaiah because the chief minister, these MLAs who’re overtly backing DKS can pull out assist from the federal government. In the meantime, 9 Kuruba MLAs and 34 Lingayat MLAs are supporting Siddaramaiah, making the CM tussle a Catch-22 scenario for the excessive command.With the choice window narrowing, Congress management now has three life like choices:

This route maintains continuity, protects AHINDA affect, and sends a sign of stability. A cupboard reshuffle could also be sanctioned later as compensation to placate these backing Shivakumar.

Backers of DKS see this as honoring dedication and stopping factional drift. However changing a sitting CM on the midpoint might trigger inner rupture if not managed delicately.

A future-dated swap might fulfill each camps briefly, offered the timeline is seen as credible and binding. It’s the most politically pragmatic method however solely works if each factions stand down concurrently.darkish horseIn the meantime, Bharatiya Janata Social gathering floated one other idea that Congress could ignore each Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar and select a “darkish horse” for the chief ministerial publish within the state.Speaking to reporters, former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai stated that chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DKS are “being rigid as a consequence of their ego,” main the excessive command to think about different choices.“CM and Deputy CM each have a really egoistic angle. They don’t seem to be able to budge an inch. Subsequently, the excessive command is pressured to consider the opposite different. So on this context, a darkish horse would possibly emerge within the state,” Bommai stated.cost issueAmid the continuing developments within the state, all eyes are actually on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who often is the just one with an answer for this impasse.Kharge, who additionally hails from Karnataka, is likely one of the most seasoned functionaries within the state. First elected to the state meeting in 1972, Kharge received 9 consecutive elections till 2008, incomes the nickname ‘Solillada Sardara’ (the undefeated chieftain).Acknowledging the facility tussle between the CM and his deputy, Kharge performed down the “inner battle” throughout the celebration and stated that the “excessive command” will sit collectively and deliberate on the difficulty.“Solely the folks there can say what the federal government is doing. However I want to say that we are going to resolve such points,” Kharge stated.“Individuals in excessive command — Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and I — will sit collectively and deliberate on this… We are going to give the medication when required,” he added.