Siddaramaiah–Shivakumar Rift Deepens as Congress High Command Considers New Power-Sharing Formula

Bengaluru: The ongoing power struggle between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar escalated sharply on Friday, prompting the Congress high command to consider a fresh formula aimed at easing tensions within the state leadership.

Senior party leaders have reportedly rushed to New Delhi as the central leadership prepares for a crucial round of negotiations on Saturday. According to party insiders, the Congress is exploring the possibility of expanding the state cabinet by inducting one MLA from each faction—a move intended to placate both camps and restore internal stability.

At the centre of the conflict is the alleged 2.5-year power-sharing agreement formulated after the 2023 Assembly victory, which was expected to see Siddaramaiah lead for the first half of the term before handing over the Chief Minister’s post to Shivakumar. The Congress never formally acknowledged such a deal, but murmurs of dissatisfaction have persisted.

The dispute resurfaced this week when Shivakumar, in a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, hinted that the party leadership had failed to honour its commitments. His remark was widely interpreted as a public expression of frustration with the delay in implementing the supposed agreement.