The persistent unease within the Karnataka Congress over the alleged power-sharing pact between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar came to the fore on Wednesday when AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal was greeted with pro-Shivakumar slogans at the Mangaluru airport.
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Venugopal arrived in Mangaluru to attend the centenary commemoration of the historic Narayana Guru-Mahatma Gandhi dialogue, an event organised by Mangaluru University and attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cabinet ministers, and senior Congress leaders.
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As Venugopal exited the terminal, a group of party workers raised slogans expressing support for Shivakumar. Following the arrival of Siddaramaiah shortly after, his own supporters countered with slogans like “Siddu, Siddu, Poornaavadhi Siddu” (Full term CM Siddaramaiah).
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This incident occurs amid ongoing speculation that the Congress high command may revisit the reported internal understanding that Shivakumar would take over as Chief Minister mid-termโ a claim repeatedly denied by the party leadership but actively sustained by certain sections within the state unit.
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Speaking to reporters, Mithun Rai, a leader identified with the pro-Shivakumar group, insisted there were “no rival camps” within the party, but conceded that many workers “would be happy to see DK Shivakumar become the Chief Minister.” He described the slogan-shouting as an expression of “natural affection” for the Deputy CM among grassroots cadres.
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Last week, Siddaramaiah dismissed talks of a change in leadership in the state as โbaseless speculation,โ while Shivakumar reiterated that his focus was on strengthening the party and delivering on governance.
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The high command has also attempted to downplay the issue, insisting the government is stable and functioning smoothly.
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However, the Mangaluru episode is being viewed as yet another indication of the simmering sentiment among a section of party workers, particularly those identified with Shivakumarโs organisational influence in the state.
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