- The Karnataka politics appears to be anything but smooth, given the not-so-veiled power tussle between the two strong leaders in CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar. Ever since the Grand Old Party assumed power in Karnataka on the back of an overwhelming majority in the state elections two years back, the talks surrounding the governance have always revolved around the two. As you are aware, Congress made a spectacular comeback on the back of five guarantee schemes that resonated with the voters big time. With the voters’ blessing, the party set about administering the government with lots of pomp and hope. However, what has transpired in the last few months has been the supposed power-sharing arrangement between the two leaders.
PC: Deccan Herald
- People closely following the fortunes of the politicians and the party would realise that both leaders represent strength, traction, popularity, and sheer presence among the cadre, as well as the community they represent. Whereas Siddaramaiah jumped ship from the Janata Dal (Secular) to Congress after failing to find a way with the Gowdas, Shivakumar has been in the party as a youth leader right from the beginning. However, a perception exists within Congress that Siddaramaiah is a mass leader, whereas Shivakumar’s reach is restricted within the surroundings of old Mysore regions, including Bengaluru. Nonetheless, no one can deny the organizational capabilities of Shivakumar, who single-handedly ensured the party came to power in Karnataka.
PC: Oneindia
- Recollect how both the leaders were in contention for assuming the CMship of the state, with Shivakumar standing ground vehemently. What tilted the weight in favour of a seasoned politician-administrator, Siddaramaiah, was the mass appeal enjoyed by the leader, especially among the backward classes. Of course, undercurrents of diverse nature running among political parties are not new, and Congress is not immune to this phenomenon. The outsider and insider narrative keeps coming up whenever the talks veer towards the supposed understanding between the two leaders sharing the power. This arrangement has not been discussed in any official forums by the party high command, but the talks surrounding the same refuse to die a natural death.
PC: Times Now
- Notably, the leaders themselves have maintained that Siddaramaiah will continue to be the CM for the full tenure, duly endorsed by the Congress top leadership as well as Shivakumar. Even then, some of the supporters of both leaders keep throwing up the issue of a change of leadership in the government. The MLAs supporting the two leaders have been relentless in airing their opinions quite publicly despite the leadership enforcing censorship. Meanwhile, citizens must be feeling frustrated with the lack of development on expected lines with the vertical power tussle between the two. Fortunately for the incumbent government, the opposition BJP is bogged down by internal dissidence and is in no position to take on the treasury benches to nail them.
