Karnataka, April 6: The Congress high command has decided to retain Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as the party’s Karnataka unit president, bringing temporary calm to the ongoing internal tussle within the ruling party, top Congress sources said on Sunday.
Shivakumar, along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, held crucial meetings with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday and Friday. The visit came amid growing pressure from a section of party MLAs and ministers—largely aligned with Siddaramaiah—seeking Shivakumar’s removal under the ‘one person, one post’ policy.
“Despite internal demands, the party high command was not inclined to replace Shivakumar, at least till November or December,” a senior party functionary told PTI. Citing his role in the Assembly election win, the party’s strong Lok Sabha performance in the state, and recent bypoll victories, the leadership has backed Shivakumar’s dual role for now.
His critics have argued that Shivakumar’s ministerial responsibilities make it difficult for him to give adequate attention to party affairs. However, the high command appears to be focused on stability.
While neither Siddaramaiah nor Shivakumar has confirmed it, speculation persists about a power-sharing pact where Siddaramaiah would lead the government for the first half of the term, after which Shivakumar would take over.
The leadership meetings also touched upon sensitive issues including Cabinet reshuffle and MLC candidate selections, though a reshuffle is currently not being considered. Party sources said the selection of MLC candidates has been left to both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.
On the controversial honey trap issue raised in the Assembly by Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna, sources said Rahul Gandhi expressed displeasure, believing such matters should not have been raised publicly. Rajanna had earlier claimed that at least 48 MLAs had been targeted and was supported by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi.
