Karnataka – The Karnataka Congress turmoil reached new heights on Thursday, November 27, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar engaged in a very public exchange of pointed messages. What has emerged is a full-blown leadership crisis within the state’s ruling party, with both leaders deploying similar vocabulary about keeping one’s “word” while staking their claims to the top position.
The Battle of Words
The Karnataka Congress turmoil manifested through carefully crafted social media posts that revealed the depth of discord between the two leaders. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, 63, initiated the exchange with a post emphasizing the importance of keeping promises. His message declared that “keeping one’s word is the greatest strength in the world” and stressed that “everyone has to walk the talk.” The post concluded with a powerful assertion: “Word power is World power.”
This was widely interpreted as a public reminder to the party leadership about an alleged promise that Shivakumar would assume the chief minister’s role for the second half of the government’s five-year term. The state government completed 2.5 years in office on November 20, marking what many see as a critical juncture in the Karnataka Congress turmoil.
Siddaramaiah’s Strong Response
Hours later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, 77, delivered his response, employing similar vocabulary while making clear his intention to serve the full term. His post emphasized that “the mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years.” He countered Shivakumar’s “word power” concept by stating, “A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people.”
The Chief Minister further asserted that their commitment to Karnataka means “the World to us,” and proceeded to list his accomplishments and future plans. He referenced his earlier term as Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018, claiming that 157 of 165 promises were fulfilled with over 95 percent delivery. For the current term, he stated that 243 out of 593 promises are already completed, with every remaining commitment to be fulfilled “with commitment, credibility, and care.”
The Controversial 2.5-Year Formula
At the heart of the Karnataka Congress turmoil lies the contentious “2.5-year formula”—an arrangement that has become a recurring source of internal conflict within the party. While Congress has not officially acknowledged such an agreement, DK Shivakumar recently mentioned a “secret deal” without elaborating further. This formula typically involves a power-sharing arrangement where a veteran leader and younger successor split the chief minister’s tenure equally.
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The Karnataka Congress turmoil mirrors similar crises the party has faced in other states. This formula has previously emerged in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, both of which subsequently lost power in following elections. The pattern suggests that such internal arrangements, whether official or perceived, create significant challenges for party unity and electoral prospects.
Historical Parallels and Cautionary Tales
The current Karnataka Congress turmoil bears striking resemblance to previous party disputes. In Rajasthan in 2020, a power struggle erupted between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, approaching 70, and his deputy Sachin Pilot, who was barely 45. Despite an open rebellion, Pilot could not secure sufficient support and lost his positions as deputy CM and state Congress chief, though he remained with the party.
Similarly, Chhattisgarh witnessed rivalry between Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and minister TS Singh Deo. The 2.5-year formula in that state was intended to balance factions after the 2018 election victory. Unlike Pilot, TS Singh Deo chose persistent internal pressure over open rebellion. The Gandhis eventually brokered a tactical truce in June 2023, making him deputy CM just months before assembly elections. However, Congress did not retain power in either state.
The Karnataka Congress turmoil also reflects broader challenges the party has faced with generational transitions. Similar feuds over leadership succession have apparently damaged the party’s prospects in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh over the past decade.
High Command’s Position
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, himself from Karnataka and once considered a potential chief minister, has stated that decisions regarding the Karnataka Congress turmoil will be made exclusively by the high command—essentially Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and himself. He emphasized that such matters should not be discussed publicly, attempting to contain the growing controversy.
The Generational Challenge
The Karnataka Congress turmoil fundamentally represents a generational shift challenge. With Siddaramaiah at 77 and Shivakumar at 63, the question of succession timing remains contentious. The public nature of their dispute, conducted through social media posts and thinly veiled references, demonstrates how the Karnataka Congress turmoil has moved beyond private disagreements to become a spectacle that could impact the party’s credibility and governance effectiveness in the state.
