New Delhi/Bengaluru, August 4, 2025:
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar on Sunday reignited speculation about internal rifts in the state leadership with a pointed remark on power-sharing at a Congress event in Delhi. Speaking during the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) ‘Constitutional Challenges’ event, Shivakumar lauded the Gandhi family’s legacy of sacrifice but took a veiled swipe at current leaders’ reluctance to share power, prompting renewed focus on his dynamic with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Political Sacrifice and Veiled Critique
DK Shivakumar praised Sonia Gandhi’s 2004 decision to renounce the Prime Ministerial post, calling it an “unparalleled act of political sacrifice.” He recounted:
“When Sonia Gandhi was asked by the President to take oath as the Prime Minister, she said, ‘For me, power is not important.’ She decided that a Sikh, a minority, and an economist could save the country and should become the Prime Minister.”
He added a pointed observation, “Has anyone in such a big democracy made such a sacrifice? Even at the panchayat level, many don’t. Some MLAs and ministers share power, but some of us don’t even agree to share power.”
While DK Shivakumar did not name Siddaramaiah directly, his comments arrive amidst a flurry of media reports and party rumors regarding a possible rotational chief ministership agreement—a deal Siddaramaiah has consistently denied.
Power-Sharing Rift Denied by CM Siddaramaiah
Earlier in July, Siddaramaiah dismissed speculation over mid-term leadership changes. “Am I not sitting here as the Chief Minister? Where is the vacancy? DK Shivakumar himself has clarified this, and I’m saying the same, there’s no vacancy for the CM post,” he asserted during a press briefing in Delhi, seeking to quash the talk of a power swap.
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Party Unity and Historical Context
During his address, DK Shivakumar further highlighted the Congress Party’s legacy and unity, saying, “Congress’s history is the country’s history. The Gandhi family has kept the Congress Party united, and the Congress Party has kept the country united.”
He also acknowledged his long political career and efforts to bring Congress to power in Karnataka, reiterating allegiance to party leadership.
Context and Reactions
Shivakumar’s latest remark is seen as a subtle but strategic reminder of his own stature in the party and of the ongoing undercurrents within Karnataka Congress. The Gandhi family’s role in fostering unity has historically been invoked to appeal for organisational discipline during times of leadership contest. However, Siddaramaiah’s firm statements in July indicate his intention to complete the current term as chief minister, with no imminent vacancy or leadership change planned.
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