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Karnataka CM Crisis: Kharge Reveals High Command Will Decide Amid Power Tussle

The Karnataka Congress is facing internal tensions over the chief minister position as the government hits its halfway mark. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has stepped in to clarify that the high command will make the final decision after proper discussions. Meanwhile, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is sending subtle messages through social media about keeping promises. The situation has divided party members, with some MLAs openly backing Siddaramaiah while others suggest alternative leadership options.

Key Points: Kharge Says Congress High Command to Decide Karnataka CM Post

  • Karnataka government reached halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20
  • DK Shivakumar posted cryptic message about keeping promises on social media
  • Senior MLA KN Rajanna suggested dissolving assembly for fresh elections
  • Siddaramaiah has called the leadership debate completely unnecessary
3 min read

Entire high command will make a decision: Mallikarjun Kharge on Karnataka CM post tussle

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge confirms high command will resolve Karnataka CM tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar after collective discussion with Rahul Gandhi present.

"The entire high command team will discuss and make a decision - Mallikarjun Kharge"

Bengaluru, November 27

Amid speculation over the Karnataka Chief Ministerial post, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said a decision will be made after a discussion among the high command, CM Siddaramiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

The speculation stirred as the Karnataka government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge stated that it will be a collective decision.

"I will call everyone and have a discussion. Rahul Gandhi will also remain present in that discussion. Other members will also remain present. CM and Dy CM will also remain present. The decision will be made after a discussion with all of these. There is a team. I am not alone. The entire high command team will discuss and make a decision," he told reporters.

Earlier today, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar shared a social media post amid speculation of a power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah, reiterating, "Keeping one's word is the greatest strength in the world."

In the X post, which is speculatively directed at the Congress high command, DK Shivakumar asked everyone, including himself, to keep their promises.

The post read, "Word power is world power. The biggest force in the world was to keep one's word. Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk."

Earlier on Wednesday, senior Congress MLA and former minister KN Rajanna said the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) should decide the chief minister, and hence "dissolve the assembly and face elections".

He said it was the CLP which had elected Siddaramaiah as the CM.

"Let's dissolve (the Assembly) and face the elections. Then let's work together under the leadership of DK Shivakumar and come up with a majority. Then let him serve as the CM for 5 years. Wasn't it the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) that elected Siddaramaiah? Now the decision should be made by the CLP," the Congress MLA told reporters.

However, Rajanna favoured Siddaramaiah and also threw in the name of state home minister G Parameshwara, suggesting him as the "second option" for the Chief Minister's post.

"The high command said not to talk about leadership. That's why I won't talk about it. My personal wish is that Siddaramaiah should be the CM for five years. The AICC will clarify in the next couple of days. Otherwise, the second option is that Dr G Parameshwara should become the CM," he said.

While CM Siddaramaiah has termed it an "unnecessary debate" and DK Shivakumar reiterated his loyalty to the Congress and dismissed speculation over his resignation as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, Deputy CM has also sought a meeting with senior party leader Sonia Gandhi on November 29 to discuss the ongoing issues.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
DK Shivakumar's cryptic social media posts show he's clearly unhappy. But he should remember that party discipline matters more than personal ambitions. The high command should handle this sensitively.
S
Sarah B
As someone following Karnataka politics, I think Siddaramaiah has done decent work so far. But this power struggle is affecting governance. The high command needs to show strong leadership here.
A
Arjun K
Why can't they just follow the original understanding? Everyone knew there was supposed to be a power-sharing arrangement. This uncertainty is bad for Karnataka's development. Hope Kharge ji takes the right decision.
M
Michael C
KN Rajanna's suggestion to dissolve the assembly is absolutely ridiculous! Why waste public money on elections because of internal party issues? This shows how disconnected some politicians are from ground realities.
K
Kavya N
Both leaders have their strengths. Siddaramaiah has experience while DK Shivakumar is a master strategist. But the party should prioritize what's best for Karnataka's people, not individual egos. 🙏

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