Politics
Congress Leadership Backs Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to Stay as State Chief in 2025
Congress High Command Backs DK Shivakumar to Stay Karnataka Chief
Karnataka’s ruling Congress got a shake-up today, April 7, 2025, as the party’s high command told Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to keep his grip on the state unit presidency. After a tense two-day huddle in New Delhi with Rahul Gandhi last Thursday and Friday, Shivakumar’s staying put—for now—cooling off a leadership scrap that’s been simmering within the party.
Delhi Talks: Steadying the Ship
Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flew to Delhi amid rumors he’d be axed as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) boss. Some MLAs and ministers—mostly Siddaramaiah loyalists—have been gunning for his ouster, crying “one person, one post” since he’s juggling Deputy CM duties too. But the high command said no dice, banking on his winning streak: the 2023 assembly haul, solid Lok Sabha gains, and a clean sweep in three recent bypolls. A party insider told PTI, “He’s safe till at least November or December.” The Delhi powwow also tackled MLC picks—left to the duo—and a messy “honey trap” scandal rocking the ranks. Rahul Gandhi wasn’t thrilled it hit the assembly floor, urging a lid on it after Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna claimed 48 MLAs got snared.
Why Shivakumar’s Not Budging
Since taking the KPCC reins in July 2020, Shivakumar’s been the party’s bulldog—reviving it from a 2019 slump and locking down the Vokkaliga vote. His crew sees this as a win; Siddaramaiah’s camp, pushing for a new face to juice up the grassroots, isn’t popping champagne. Whispers of a CM swap—Siddaramaiah first, Shivakumar later—float around, but the high command’s mum, keeping it all guesswork. For now, it’s “carry on, DK”—a nod to unity as local polls loom.
What’s Cooking Next
The Shivakumar-Siddaramaiah rivalry’s old news—sparked post-2023 when Congress split the baby: Siddaramaiah as CM, Shivakumar as No. 2. They’ll need to play nice to keep the BJP and JD(S) at bay and deliver on big promises. That honey trap mess? Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi doubled down on Rajanna’s tale, hinting at a plot to rattle the government. Gandhi’s “keep it quiet” line says Congress wants a tight ship, not a soap opera.
The Road Ahead
Shivakumar’s sticking around offers a breather—stability today, questions tomorrow. Can he and Siddaramaiah hold it together, or will the CM chair spark round two? As of April 7, 2025, the high command’s call is clear: DK’s the guy.