Karnataka: Vokkaliga Seer Urges CM Siddaramaiah To Step Down In Favour Of DK Shivakumar

Amidst a power struggle within the Karnataka Congress, Vokkaliga seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji publicly urged CM Siddaramaiah to step down in favour of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math Seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji during the 515th birth anniversary celebration of Bengaluru's founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, at Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, Thursday, June 27, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

A Vokkaliga seer publicly called on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday to step down in favour of his deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, amid an ongoing power struggle within the ruling Congress.

This appeal came amidst increasing demands within the Siddaramaiah cabinet to appoint three additional Deputy Chief Ministers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST, and minority communities.

At the Kempegowda Jayanti event, which celebrated the founder of Bengaluru, Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji strongly favour Shivakumar in the presence of both Siddaramaiah and the Deputy Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, belongs to the influential Vokkaliga community in the southern part of the state. "Everyone has become Chief Minister and has enjoyed power, but our D K Shivakumar has not become the Chief Minister. So the request is, Siddaramaiah, who has experienced (the post), should please give up the power to our D K Shivakumar in the future, and bless him good," Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji said, PTI reported.

During a public rally, he said "Only if Siddaramaiah makes up his mind, this can happen, or else it won't happen. So with 'Namakaras', I request Siddaramaiah to make D K Shivakumar the Chief Minister."

Responding to a question on the appeal of seer, Siddaramaiah said: "Congress is a high command party....this is a democracy. We will follow whatever the high command says." Shivakumar said "Things have been said.... We both (him and Siddaramaiah) are travelling to New Delhi to discuss with MPs from the state, regarding the state's projects (pending approval from the Centre)."

Downplaying the seer's comments, Siddaramaiah said: "We are in a democracy...whatever high command decides is final....he (the seer) has said things; he does not know, this is a political party". Shivakumar added, "Swamiji has said out of passion, it cannot be taken seriously. In politics, people speak out of admiration, but we will abide by the party's decision."

Following the May 2023 Assembly election results, there was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post. The Congress ultimately appointed Shivakumar as the Deputy Chief Minister. Reports were suggesting a "rotational chief minister formula" where Shivakumar would assume the role after two-and-a-half years, but this has not been officially confirmed by the party.

Shivakumar has made no secret of his ambition to become CM, while Siddaramaiah had sought public help during the Lok Sabha elections so that the Congress would win the maximum number of seats in the state, which would strengthen his position.

Some within the Congress think that recent calls for three more Deputy CMs are a strategy by Siddaramaiah’s camp to limit Shivakumar’s influence and prevent him from seeking the CM post-mid-term. Meanwhile, supporters of Shivakumar are becoming more vocal, with Channagiri Congress MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga recently urging the party to make Shivakumar the Chief Minister.

Basavaraju Urges Party To Appoint Shivakumar As CM

It seems that leaders in Shivakumar's camp have also begun vocally endorsing their leader. Basavaraju V Shivaganga, a Channagiri Congress MLA, urged the party on Wednesday to appoint Shivakumar as chief minister.

In response to the comment of the seer, some ministers in the Siddaramaiah cabinet expressed disapproval, while others labelled it as his viewpoint.

Co-operation Minister K N Rajanna, who is considered close to Siddaramiah, said "Who will give up (the position)? Just because he (seer) asked can it be given up? Let the seer give up his position, I will become Swamiji -- ask whether he will give up? No one will give up...I don't know with what intention the seer has said things, in a democracy he has the right to speak."

The seer may have expressed his personal opinion, but Home Minister G Parameshwara insisted that the seer has nothing to do with the CM position, which is chosen by a procedure that involves the political party and its lawmakers.

Reacting to Swamiji pitching for Shivakumar, Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy, said "that time may also come, the party and the high command along with MLAs will decide. Swamiji has said his opinion. The party will ultimately decide. Shivakumar is the party President and someone who has a commitment towards the party more than anyone else."

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka said "this development" proves that there is a divide within the government and it also proves the BJP's claims that this government will not survive for long. "As far as I know, at a government programme such a humiliation had never happened to a sitting Chief Minister, who heads the government," he said, stating that Siddaramaiah should resign and "go home."

Ashoka highlighted that the Chief Minister's camp has been making statements calling for the appointment of three more Deputy Chief Ministers, and he dismissed the seer's remark as a ploy by Shivakumar to counter Siddaramaiah.