How show of strength for backward groups offers glimpse into Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar power tussle

The event, organised by AICC leader and Karnataka MLC B K Hariprasad, one of the aspirants for a berth in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, comes at a time when a power transition seems to be underway. In neighbouring Kerala too, the Congress is looking to wrest power from the CPI(M) in the Assembly polls scheduled for April 2026.

Among the significant aspects of the event, which was seen to have the support of the central party leadership, was the presence of Siddaramaiah and the absence of Shivakumar. In attendance was the AICC general secretary in charge of organisation, K C Venugopal — a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and a key player in the Congress’s moves in Karnataka and Kerala.

Pointer to power transition?

The event was seen as a window into the thinking of the Congress leadership on the roadmap for power transition in Karnataka. which is currently being forced by Shivakumar with his claim to the CM’s post.

The absence of Shivakumar from the event might have betrayed his weak standing among the backward communities, which form the bulwark of the party’s support in the state along with Dalits and minorities.

While both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have claimed that the issue of leadership change will be decided by the high command, with the CM saying his deputy will become CM when the high command decides, sources said Siddaramaiah will continue as the CM till the Kerala polls.

The event also signals the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle — sought by Siddaramaiah but opposed by Shivakumar — as a possible first step in the transition of power before Siddaramaiah is given an honourable exit.

Siddaramaiah has in private comments to aspirants for Cabinet positions stated that “politics is not permanent” and “power is nobody’s ancestral property”, indicating a willingness to step down if directed by the Congress high command.

One of the possibilities being discussed in political circles is the entry of Hariprasad into the Cabinet as an OBC leader before the exit of Siddaramaiah to act as a counterfoil to Shivakumar’s non-OBC credentials and power play.

Siddaramaiah had a surprise breakfast meeting with Hariprasad a few months ago, suggesting the forging of an alliance after the latter had a falling out with Shivakumar. Hariprasad, who is also the AICC in charge of Haryana, is known as a staunch Gandhi family loyalist.

Even during the recent leadership crisis, Hariprasad met Rahul Gandhi but later dismissed the meeting as being part of his responsibilities as an AICC office-bearer. He also attended a breakfast meeting of Congress loyalists at minister and veteran Dalit leader K H Muniyappa’s residence.