After Kerala, Karnataka becomes Congress’s next leadership challenge

BENGALURU: The Congress high command’s decision to appoint V D Satheesan as Kerala chief minister has triggered chatter in Karnataka, where deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s supporters believe the tussle over the top post can no longer be postponed indefinitely.

The buzz coincided with Shivakumar’s 64th birthday Friday and supporters installed posters, banners and digital billboards across the state and largely in Bengaluru, all suggesting that he be elevated to the top post.





Though Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has publicly said Siddaramaiah will continue as chief minister, developments in Kerala offer hope to Shivakumar’s supporters ahead of the govt completing three years in office on May 20.

“Congress’ high command faces a defining choice,” said Hidayathulla Kuvenda, advocate and political commentator. “Age commands respect, but the future of Karnataka demands a powerhouse CM who can bridge the gap between a rural farm and IIT campus. Elevating Shivakumar is an essential step to ensure Congress remains Karnataka’s dominant force for the next decade.”

He described Shivakumar as a “battle-tested organiser who protected the party during political crises” and Siddaramaiah as “past hisprime”. “Elevating Shivakumar now would give him nearly two years to showcase governance achievements before the next assembly election,” he said.

However, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps privately acknowledge that if no transition takes place in the coming weeks, reopening the issue closer to elections could become politically difficult. Unlike Kerala,where Congress did not have anti-incumbency to deal with, Karnataka already has a Congress govt in office and cannot afford prolonged succession uncertainty.

A Congress functionarysaid the issue was no longer about “personal ambition” but organisational clarity. An office bearer said Shivakumar supporters have become more assertive after the govt crossed the halfway mark of its term. “There is a feeling among many MLAs that political understandings should be honoured, and expectations should not be stretched endlessly,” the functionary said.

But supporters of Siddaramaiah believe party brass is unlikely to reopen the issue immediately.

Political analysts say comparisons between Kerala and Karnataka have limitations. “In Kerala, Congress needed a clear face to energise cadres before polls,” said political analyst Vishwas Shetty. “In Karnataka, it is in office. Any abrupt decision here will affect administration, caste equations and factional balance. I don’t think anything will change unless Siddaramaiah himself decides to quit.”


Political commentator M N Patil said Congress brass have historically delayed such decisions in Karnataka until “absolutely necessary”. “The high command knows both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are indispensable. One delivers mass politics while the other controls organisational and resource mobilisation networks,” Patil said.

“Replacing either carries risks. So, the ball is now in the hands of Rahul Gandhi.”