Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar of the Karnataka Congress are locked in a deepening internal power struggle [1].

The rivalry centers on the chief ministerial post and reflects a broader battle for influence within the state's governing party. This tension threatens the stability of the administration as competing factions seek favor with the party high command in Delhi.

The conflict intensified in early May 2024, shortly after the Congress government completed three years in office [1]. While Siddaramaiah currently holds the top position, Shivakumar has pressed for the post, leading to resistance from the chief minister's camp [2, 3].

Recent political activity in the state has further heightened these ambitions. Two Assembly constituency by-elections in Davanagere South and Bagalkote were held [3], with results scheduled for declaration on May 4, 2024 [4]. The outcomes of these contests are viewed as indicators of local support and influence for the rival leaders.

Shivakumar has maintained a public stance of deference to the central party leadership. "I will travel to Delhi whenever the party high command calls, stressing that the final decision will rest with the Congress leadership," Shivakumar said [1].

Despite these public assurances, critics within the party have used harsh rhetoric to describe the current leadership. Karjol referred to Siddaramaiah as a "Pandrah Din Ka Sultan," suggesting a temporary or unstable hold on power [4].

The struggle is characterized by differing levels of support from the party's national leadership and the strategic maneuvering of loyalists in Bengaluru [3, 5]. As both men seek to solidify their standing, the internal friction remains a focal point of Karnataka's political landscape.

“Siddaramaiah A ‘Pandrah Din Ka Sultan’”

This power struggle highlights the precarious nature of coalition-style leadership within a single party. By pitting two influential figures against one another, the Congress high command may be attempting to maintain a balance of power, but the public friction risks alienating voters and hindering the government's legislative efficiency as it moves past its third year in office.