The Karnataka Congress is facing a serious crisis as MLA Iqbal Hussain, a loyalist of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, directly urges Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to consider giving Shivakumar a chance. Hussain emphasized the importance of practicing the ideology of equality and socialism in the party’s leadership decisions. He highlighted the desire of around 80 to 90 MLAs to see Shivakumar as Chief Minister alongside Siddaramaiah for the upcoming elections.
Hussain, along with other MLAs, stressed the need for clarity within the party to avoid unnecessary confusion. Another loyalist, H.C. Balakrishna, mentioned that statements made by Siddaramaiah’s son about his father remaining Chief Minister would not deter potential leadership changes. Balakrishna called for a clear directive from the party high command to address the ongoing leadership discussions and prevent further internal discord.
As the leadership tussle unfolds, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi for a meeting with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding the Assam Assembly elections has raised eyebrows. While officially attending the meeting as a senior AICC observer for Assam, Shivakumar’s decision to skip a budget preparation meeting with Siddaramaiah hints at underlying tensions over leadership aspirations and roles within the party.
