Poonam Sharma
Political transitions are seldom smooth in Indian states, and Karnataka has traditionally been a battleground where leadership tussles, coalition pressures, and intra-party factionalism more often than not drive the narrative of governance. For some time now, speculation has been rife that a mid-term change of guard-from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar-is imminent. Dubbed the “November Revolution”, it has set tongues wagging over the internal equations of the Congress once again. But a look at recent statements from DK Shivakumar shows carefully crafted restraint, loyalty, and political messaging aimed at keeping both supporters and detractors guessing.
Projecting Stability When the Rumour Mill Runs Hot
With the Siddaramaiah-led government completing half its tenure this month, the speculation on a “power swap” has gained momentum. The source of this buzz is in an unofficial rotational agreement reportedly reached after the Assembly triumph in 2023, under which Shivakumar would assume charge after 30 months. But, though Congress has never openly admitted to such an agreement, the theory gained so much traction that it continues to dominate political discourse in Karnataka as if it would happen any moment now.
To chants from the crowd of “next Chief Minister”, Shivakumar’s reply-calm, measured, outwardly selfless-was calculated. When he said, “I don’t run away from responsibility… I will work as long as the leadership wants me to,” two things come through in equal measure: eagerness for the top job and loyalty to the party discipline. This is the duality required of every ambitious leader who must be seen not to be too rebellious.
Balancing Personal Ambition With Party Interest
Shivakumar has been among the most powerful leaders of the Karnataka Congress, not only because of his organisational heft but a carefully built image of loyalty to the Gandhis and the party machinery. As state Congress president since 2020, he reconstructed the party after successive setbacks, including the 2019 defections that brought down the coalition government.
His statement that he wished to resign as party president in 2023, but was requested to continue by Kharge and Rahul Gandhi does two things:
Positions him as indispensable
He reinforces the idea that the high command depended on his political acumen and organisational capability during a crucial transition.
Signals obedience to leadership
By saying that he stayed only because he was asked, Baker implies that party unity is more important than his personal aspirations-an important message as Congress attempts to fend off internal factionalism.
“Not Permanent”: A Message to Both Camps
The statement of Shivakumar, “No one can be permanent here. One should leave a mark during his tenure,” sounds humble. But, strategically, it sets an important narrative. It concedes subtly that the leadership role would always evolve, change, and rotate. That is to say, if Siddaramaiah cannot stay permanently, what is implied is that transition would be both natural and permissible.
Also, at the same time, he signals continuity of influence: “I will be in the leadership. I will be at the frontline”.
Here, Shivakumar is assuring his supporters that even if he continues as Deputy CM or party president, the power and authority he enjoys in the Congress ecosystem is not going to erode. This is one way of keeping morale high among his loyalists without looking impatient for Siddaramaiah’s seat.
Managing factional energies without escalating them
The chants of ‘next Chief Minister’ aren’t incidental. They are representative of genuine feeling among the vast Congress rank and file, which regards Shivakumar as the rightful heir. They also come with a political risk. Public shows of ambition tend to irk the central leadership and widen the fractures between factions.
That’s why Shivakumar’s public moderation is important: By not confirming or ruling out interest, he keeps his faction activated but doesn’t provoke Siddaramaiah’s camp into open confrontation. This careful balancing act is typical of seasoned politicians navigating leadership transitions.
Power-Sharing Agreement: Fact or Convenient Fiction?
While Congress never actually acknowledged the existence of a rotational CM formula, the persistent story that there was such a deal helped both sides:
It is used by Shivakumar’s camp to keep alive expectations and justify their leader’s aspiration.The camp of Siddaramaiah is using the absence of official confirmation to keep the status quo. The recent utterances of Shivakumar merely hint at his acceptance of the alleged agreement by invoking themes of duty, responsibility, and non-permanence without either endorsement or rejection.
Strengthening the Party to Strengthen His Claim
One of the most interesting lines in his speech was his target to set up 100 new party offices during his tenure. This statement is more than an administrative pledge. It is political signalling: a demonstration that he is thinking long-term about the party’s organisational muscle.
Historically, strong grassroots infrastructure has always been Shivakumar’s biggest argument for leadership. By focusing attention on party-building rather than leadership battles, he strengthens his claim in a way that appears unthreatening to Siddaramaiah’s team.
Congress High Command: The Silent Decider
Ultimately, any decision on a change in the leadership lies with the family and the top leadership of the party, a fact that Shivakumar reminded everybody of when he said, “I will work as long as the Gandhi family wants me to.”
This is not merely loyalty, but a subtle reminder to rivals that his linkage with the high command provides him with at least some degree of legitimacy and protection.
Conclusion:
A Leadership Battle in Slow Motion DK Shivakumar’s latest utterances present an object lesson in political speaking: emphatic enough to reassure the party faithful, restrained enough not to cause a flare-up, and calculating enough to keep the possibility of a leadership transition alive. As the Karnataka government approaches its mid-term mark, the question of whether the Congress will honour the alleged rotation remains unanswered. But one thing is clear: Shivakumar is positioning himself carefully, waiting for the moment when loyalty, organisational strength, and political opportunity converge. Whether that moment arrives now-or at all-will depend entirely upon the Congress high command’s reading of electoral arithmetic, caste dynamics, and governance stability in the months ahead.
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