Siddaramaiah Or Shivakumar: Rift In Karnataka Congress Over Chief Minister's Face

Recently, Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala had warned that leaders to work only towards the party’s victory in the state and not towards factionalism.

Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar | File Images

Bengaluru: Congress is facing factionalism within the party with regard to the chief ministerial face in Karnataka prior to the assembly polls scheduled to be held in 2023.

Recently, Karnataka Congress in charge Randeep Surjewala had warned that leaders to work only towards the party’s victory in the state and not towards factionalism.

Attacking the ruling party in Karnataka, Surjewala also said that the BJP government in the state was formed against the vote of the people.

“In such a situation, the party will have to fight the elections united. Keeping in mind the interests of the people, one has to enter the field like Arjuna of Mahabharata,” he added.

Surjewala’s remarks came after the Karnataka Congress appeared divided over the chief ministerial face as the elections approach.

The party MLAs and cadres appeared divided between the camps led by Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Recently, some state Congress leaders had voiced in support of either Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah for the top post in Karnataka. This development clearly suggested two camps in Congress ahead of the assembly elections.

Chamarajpet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan had despite the warning from Surjewala recently attempted to project Siddaramaiah as the right candidate for the chief minister’s post.

“I do not consider him as a former chief minister but a future chief minister. I know ours is a high command party, but people of the state want Siddaramaiah as the chief minister again. The high command will have to accept the people’s decision,” he added.

Shivakumar had after the Chamarajpet MLA’s remarks asked the party leaders to refrain from making any kind of rhetoric.

He also said that the party would up a united front in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka.