Siddaramaiah May Resign This Week; What Did He Tell His Close Aides? High Command Leaders to Visit Karnataka on May 27

Congress leadership is moving carefully to avoid internal unrest in Karnataka, as senior party figures weigh the growing tension between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. According to sources, the party is trying to prevent factional conflict while managing a sensitive leadership issue that has been building since the 2023 state assembly election.

At the center of the dispute is Shivakumar’s demand for elevation to the chief minister’s post, based on an understanding reportedly promised to his supporters during the election campaign. His camp believes that the commitment made at that time should now be fulfilled, and that the issue should be resolved before any further political messaging from the party creates confusion. Sources said Shivakumar was keen to settle the leadership question first, warning that any delay could be interpreted as an endorsement of Siddaramaiah’s continued leadership.

Siddaramaiah remains a highly influential mass leader within the Congress, with strong backing from legislators and grassroots supporters, especially among backward classes, Dalits, and minority communities. Party insiders believe this broad support makes the leadership question particularly delicate. Any abrupt move, they said, could upset a major section of the party’s base and deepen divisions within the state unit.

The matter gained attention as Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar went to Indira Bhavan for consultations with Congress leadership. The meeting was seen as part of an effort to address the internal tensions and find a politically workable solution. However, the leadership is reportedly unwilling to make a hasty decision, fearing that a sudden shift could trigger further factional disputes.

Congress leaders are said to be balancing competing pressures: honoring political assurances given during the election, preserving unity in the Karnataka government, and avoiding any perception that one faction is being sidelined. The party’s challenge is compounded by the fact that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar command significant support among different sections of the organization.

For now, the leadership appears focused on maintaining stability while continuing discussions behind closed doors. The outcome of these consultations will be closely watched, as it could shape the future balance of power within Karnataka Congress and influence the party’s ability to govern without internal disruption.