Last Updated:
Karnataka power tussle: As deputy CM DK Shivakumar ramps up his diplomatic efforts among party veterans, senior leaders are now calling on the central high command to intervene
In what is being viewed as a strategic counter-move, Shivakumar has intensified his “outreach diplomacy” to build consensus among senior cabinet members. (News18)
The internal debate over leadership in Karnataka’s Congress government has reached a critical juncture.
As Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar ramps up his diplomatic efforts among party veterans, senior leaders are now calling on the central high command to intervene and prevent administrative paralysis.
Sudarshan warns of administrative impact
Senior Congress leader and AICC member VR Sudarshan has formally written to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, urging an immediate resolution to the ongoing power-sharing speculation. Sudarshan, a former Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, warned that the “continued leadership ambiguity” is beginning to take a toll on the state.
“Immediate decision and direction are required to strengthen the administration of the Karnataka Government and the affairs of the Party,” Sudarshan stated in his letter.
His intervention reflects a growing anxiety within the party that the public disagreement over the Chief Minister’s post could derail the government’s momentum and weaken its governance image.
ಮಾಜಿ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೆ.ಎನ್. ರಾಜಣ್ಣ ಅವರ ಭೇಟಿ ಮತ್ತು ಸಮಾಲೋಚನೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು. pic.twitter.com/TuWtrA522H— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) December 20, 2025
Shivakumar’s strategic outreach
The letter comes just 24 hours after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly asserted that no power-sharing deal exists. In what is being viewed as a strategic counter-move, Shivakumar has intensified his “outreach diplomacy” to build consensus among senior cabinet members.
On Saturday, Shivakumar met with KN Rajanna, a prominent former minister and a staunch loyalist of Siddaramaiah. While sources officially described the meeting as a discussion regarding the Apex Bank chairmanship, insiders suggest the true agenda was navigating the state’s evolving political landscape.
This meeting is part of a broader pattern of engagement by Shivakumar, who has recently reached out to several influential ministers close to the CM, including K.J. George, Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Satish Jarkiholi.
High command under pressure
With several veterans like BK Hariprasad, Veerappa Moily, and now Sudarshan taking the matter to the national stage, the pressure is now on Mallikarjun Kharge and the AICC to provide a definitive roadmap.
As the two power centres of Karnataka Congress continue their delicate balancing act, the party’s rank and file remain on edge, waiting for a signal that will ensure stability for the remainder of the term.
December 21, 2025, 13:06 IST
Read More
