Congress’s Karnataka Victory at Risk Amid Infighting
The Congress party’s 2023 Karnataka win was seen as a revival—a blueprint for 2024 Lok Sabha success. Yet, internal clashes between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) now threaten to undo their gains. With tensions spilling into public view, Karnataka risks mirroring Rajasthan’s factional implosion.
Rajasthan Parallel: A Cautionary Tale
In Rajasthan, Congress lost power due to infighting between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. Karnataka shows similar signs: Siddaramaiah (Lingayat leader) and DKS (Vokkaliga face) battle over cabinet posts, credit, and Lok Sabha tickets. Delayed intervention could gift the BJP an advantage.
Roots of the Conflict
The rift isn’t just personal—it reflects deep political divides:
– Siddaramaiah’s Base: AHINDA (minorities, OBCs, Dalits).
– DKS’s Influence: Vokkaliga-dominated old guard.
Leaked grievances (e.g., DKS’s “one-man show” remark, Sidda’s “remote control” jab) have worsened the feud.
Lok Sabha Tickets: New Flashpoint
With DKS pushing loyalists and Siddaramaiah favoring his picks, ticket distribution is stuck. Even Rahul Gandhi’s mediation has failed. A repeat of Rajasthan’s indecision could split the Congress vote.
Why Karnataka’s Unity Matters
- 2024 Strategy: Congress won 135 assembly seats but needs to convert this into Lok Sabha gains (BJP won 25/28 in 2019).
- Governance Suffers: Welfare schemes like Gruha Lakshmi are overshadowed by public spats.
4 Steps to Avoid Disaster
- High Command Intervention: Enforce discipline; consider “one leader, one post” rule.
- Public Unity: Joint appearances to reassure voters.
- Neutral Ticket Allocation: Central oversight to ensure fairness.
- Shift Focus to Delivery: Highlight achievements, not infighting.
Conclusion: Act Now or Lose Karnataka
As Congress’s sole major southern state, Karnataka cannot afford Rajasthan’s fate. The party must resolve the Sidda-DKS “nataka” before BJP capitalizes on the chaos.
— NextMinuteNews Editorial
