Hirekop Rajan Samuel

Belagavi, 26 Nov

Power-sharing tensions within the Karnataka Congress appear to have escalated following a confidential meeting between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi at a private hotel in Bengaluru on Tuesday night.

According to reliable sources, Shivakumar purportedly proposed that Jarkiholi be elevated to the posts of Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President if he backed efforts to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. However, Jarkiholi is said to have rejected the proposal, stating that such a move was "not possible.”

The government recently marked two-and-a-half years in office, with speculations peaking over a potential change at the top. Many have cited a “power sharing” agreement between Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and dubbed the period as “November Revolution”. 

Against this backdrop, the closed-door meeting between the two influential leaders has drawn intense political attention.

Shivakumar reportedly urged Jarkiholi to persuade Siddaramaiah to step aside, assuring him that the administration would thereafter function under “collective leadership.” In return, he promised to recommend Jarkiholi for the key party and government posts before the High Command, sources said.

Jarkiholi is believed to have declined to intervene against the Chief Minister, saying: “We cannot take such a stance. We will convey the discussion to the Chief Minister, and we will act as per the instructions of the High Command.”

Meanwhile, Jarkiholi dismissed rumours of a leadership change while speaking to the media in Bengaluru.

“There is no discussion on replacing the Chief Minister,” he said. “Shivakumar also has ambitions, and so do many others. But as of now, there is absolutely no talk of change.”

The Minister also told reporters that he would soon seek time from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to meet him.

Jarkiholi added that Siddaramaiah has repeatedly said that the High Command should end the issue at the earliest. "When CM says it, then seniors in the party should take note of it.” 

Regarding Home Minister G Parameshwara’s claim that he should also be made the CM, the Public Works Minister said Parameshwara had served as party president for five years. "I had said in Belagavi that there is nothing wrong in making such claims. So he too is senior, but who will decide finally? It happens in Delhi. All that we can do is just make a claim".