Behind Smiles, A Silent Tug-of-War: Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s Rift Resurfaces in Karnataka

Harshita Rai
In the corridors of Karnataka’s power, tensions that once simmered quietly between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar have once again bubbled to the surface — this time over a bureaucratic shake-up that seems to have struck a nerve.

Five senior engineers from the Public Works Department — part of the Water Resources Ministry helmed by Shivakumar — were abruptly transferred this week by the Department of Personnel, which reports to the Chief Minister. What might have seemed like a routine administrative move has triggered a fresh political storm.

Caught off guard, Shivakumar didn’t hold back. In a letter to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, he expressed his displeasure and demanded that the transfer orders be rolled back “immediately”. The Deputy CM made it clear — decisions involving his department should not happen without his green light.

Adding a personal note of irritation, Shivakumar reminded the Chief Secretary of what he called a gentleman’s agreement: a mutual understanding forged when the Congress returned to power in 2023 — that neither would step into the other’s administrative space without consent. Among the transferred officials was one nearing retirement, replaced ahead of time — a move that many in political circles see as symbolic rather than functional.

As of now, Siddaramaiah has chosen silence, leaving many wondering whether his quiet is tactical or telling.

A Truce Built on Uneasy Ground
The heart of this rift isn’t just about five engineers. It’s about the unspoken battle for influence and legacy between two of Karnataka’s tallest Congress leaders. After the party’s sweeping victory in 2023 — hailed as a revival moment for the Congress — the mood was jubilant on the surface. Behind the scenes, however, the struggle over who would lead the state had already begun.

Siddaramaiah, a seasoned leader and former CM, came with experience and mass appeal. Shivakumar, on the other hand, carried the hopes of the dominant Vokkaliga community and the ambition of a man long seen as a kingmaker, now wanting his crown.

Though the high command managed to broker peace — Siddaramaiah as CM and Shivakumar as Deputy — speculation never really stopped. Was there a rotational deal? Would Shivakumar take over mid-term? Both leaders publicly denied any such pact, but their actions since have kept the rumours alive.

Warning Signs for the Congress
This latest episode adds to a list of flashpoints — clashes over cabinet formation, control of key boards, and bureaucratic appointments — that have surfaced over the past two years. Each time, the party has scrambled to paper over the cracks. But with elections looming in Bihar later this year and in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in 2026, the Congress can hardly afford internal discord in a major state like Karnataka.

While both leaders insist the party’s interests come first, their rivalry could soon spill over into governance. For now, the alliance holds, but the political undercurrents are undeniable.

In politics, power-sharing is often a fragile dance. In Karnataka, that dance between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar is turning increasingly tense — and the music, it seems, is far from harmonious.