Karnataka Power Tussle: Siddaramaiah & D.K. Shivakumar Called to Delhi — The 2023 “Word” Comes Back into Focus

The political drama in Indian National Congress (Congress) — one of India’s oldest and major national parties — has once again thrown the southern state of Karnataka into the spotlight. On November 27–28, 2025, the Congress high command summoned the state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) to New Delhi for what could turn into the defining moment of a simmering leadership tussle. The trigger: a long-rumored 2023 “power-sharing” deal — or at least a “word” of an agreement — whose revival has sparked a political firestorm.

Background: How We Got Here — Power Sharing Deal from 2023

When Congress swept the 2023 state assembly elections in Karnataka — bagging 140 seats — it gave rise to euphoria among supporters. With that victory, the question of leadership became central. The then-prevailing understanding reportedly was that the Chief Ministership would rotate or that a “power-sharing” arrangement would be honoured.

According to multiple sources, the alleged agreement — often referred to simply as “the word” — was that after the first 2.5 years, the CM’s berth would pass from Siddaramaiah to Shivakumar.

However, in public the duo maintained a functioning power structure: Siddaramaiah remained Chief Minister, while Shivakumar served as Deputy Chief Minister. Behind the scenes, though, their camps nurtured differing expectations — setting the stage for inevitable friction.

Over time, what was once a quiet understanding reportedly turned into open disagreement. Siddaramaiah’s side claimed there was no formal agreement; he insisted on completing the full five-year term. Shivakumar’s camp — buoyed by supporters and some MLAs — insisted the “deal” should be honoured.

Thus, the “seeds of rift” were sown — and now, after 2.5 years, those seeds have sprouted.

The Present Flashpoint: Summons to Delhi & Public Pressure

High Command Intervenes

As tensions escalated, the central leadership of Congress — led by figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi — decided to intervene. Media reports confirm that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were officially called to Delhi for urgent discussions.

The decision reflects how serious the “internal crisis” has become — with the party keen to resolve it before it spirals out of control and affects governance or public perception in Karnataka.

Pressure from DKS Camp

Meanwhile, Shivakumar’s camp has not been silent. In the lead-up to the Delhi meeting, many of his supporters — including MLAs and party operatives — reportedly shifted base to Delhi, lobbying high command to ensure Shivakumar gets his due.

DK Shivakumar himself reportedly said he was ready to head to Delhi — even before being formally summoned — underscoring that he is keen on a resolution sooner rather than later.

On the other side, there are murmurs that other senior leaders like G. Parameshwara are also eyeing the top post, adding further complexity.

Thus, the “tussle” has moved beyond closed corridors — it is now a fully-fledged contest for power.

Stakes for Both Leaders (and their Camps)

For Siddaramaiah

Full-Term Mandate: Siddaramaiah argues that he should complete a full five-year term as Chief Minister, rejecting any mid-term leadership shift.
MLA Support & Political Base: He reportedly continues to enjoy strong support among a substantial number of MLAs, giving him leverage.
Legacy & Stability: A premature ouster or reshuffle could upset governance and destabilize current administration. Many within his camp argue that adherence to full-term leadership would maintain continuity and avoid internal disruption.

For D.K. Shivakumar

“Promise Must Be Honoured”: Shivakumar’s camp insists the 2023 understanding — a power-sharing deal — is not just a moral commitment but a political promise that must be honoured.
Momentum & Support Base: With backing from several MLAs and key party leaders, Shivakumar is pushing hard for a transition. His supporters argue that his organizational skills and contribution to Congress’ victory deserve recognition.
Risks of Delay: Prolonging the tussle could damage party unity, lower morale among cadres, and lead to public perception of internal chaos. For Shivakumar loyalists, delay is unacceptable.

The Role of Congress High Command & What to Expect

The Congress high command is now caught in a difficult balancing act. On one hand, they must respect internal commitments and reassure Shivakumar’s supporters. On the other, they risk alienating Siddaramaiah’s camp and destabilizing governance if a mid-term change is forced.

Leaders like Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and other senior brass are expected to meet soon to decide:

Whether to honor the alleged 2023 agreement and allow a change of Chief Minister mid-term.
Alternatively — if the deal is not honored — how to placate Shivakumar’s camp to prevent a split, revolt or weakening of the party in Karnataka.

A delay in decision may also be seen as indecision, which could spark public backlash or provide ammunition to opposition parties.

What Happens Next: Possible Scenarios

Given the complexity and high stakes, several outcomes are possible.

1. Rotational Leadership — Shivakumar Becomes CM

If the high command honors the 2023 understanding, we could see a transition: D.K. Shivakumar takes over as Chief Minister, with Siddaramaiah stepping down, possibly taking another major role or completing the term in a different capacity. This would placate Shivakumar’s supporters and reinforce the “word matters” principle inside the party.

2. Status Quo — Siddaramaiah Complete Five-Year Term

Alternatively, high command may decide to back Siddaramaiah, allowing him to finish the full term. In that case, efforts would likely be made to pacify Shivakumar’s camp — perhaps with a cabinet reshuffle, new portfolios, or assurances of future leadership roles. But this risks backlash within the rank-and-file and could lead to resentment.

3. Compromise Candidate or Interim Arrangement

If neither side can be balanced cleanly, Congress might opt for an entirely different path — appointing a neutral or interim leader (possibly a senior MLA, minister, or consensus figure) to bridge the divide, at least until next elections. This “third-option” could reduce immediate tensions, but may also trigger dissent from both camps.

4. Delayed Decision & Prolonged Crisis

If the high command delays the decision — intentionally or otherwise — the internal friction might deepen, leading to public spats, defiant statements, or even defections. That would damage the party’s image and credibility in Karnataka, and risk governance paralysis.

Why This Matters — Beyond Personal Rivalries

This is not just a drama between two individuals. The ongoing tussle has major implications:

Governance Stability: Karnataka is a large and economically important state. Frequent leadership uncertainty hampers administration, policy implementation, and public confidence.
Party Unity & Discipline: For Congress, internal feuds risk triggering MLAs’ dissatisfaction, undermining the “one party, one vision” ethos — and could lead to splits or defections.
Public Perception & Voter Trust: Voters expect stable governance, not internal bickering. This tussle — if poorly managed — can hurt Congress ahead of future elections.
Caste & Community Dynamics: Reports suggest caste-based calculations (OBCs, Vokkaligas, Dalits, regional blocs) are influencing internal support — meaning the decision may have ripple effects beyond just leadership.
Precedent for Future Power-Sharing Deals: How the high command handles this will send a message to other state units: whether verbal agreements or internal understandings hold weight — or can be ignored.

The power struggle between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar reflects the deep, structural fault-lines within the Karnataka unit of Congress. What began in 2023 as an alleged “understanding” has now snowballed into a full-blown leadership crisis. With both leaders’ ambitions and their camps’ backing stakes couldn’t be higher.

As the high command summons the protagonists to Delhi, the coming 48–72 hours are critical. The decision taken now will not just determine who occupies the Chief Minister’s seat for the next 2.5 years but could shape the future of Congress in Karnataka for years to come.Whether the party honours the 2023 word, opts for continuity, or chooses a middle path one thing is clear: Karnataka and Indian politics is watching closely.