Siddaramaiah’s Son Sparks Political Storm with Succession Remark
The Karnataka political scene erupted in fresh controversy on Thursday as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, declared that his father is in the “final stage of his career” and openly endorsed Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar as the “natural successor.” The statement has reignited the Congress’s internal leadership battle just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“Final Stage of Career” – What Did Yathindra Say?
During an informal media interaction in Mysuru, Yathindra dropped a political bombshell:
“My father has been CM twice. He is in his final political phase. The high command will decide, but naturally, Shivakumar is the next leader.”
While framed as a casual observation, analysts see this as a strategic play—either pressuring Siddaramaiah to step aside or preempting a messy transition later.
Siddaramaiah vs. Shivakumar: The Never-Ending Tussle
The two leaders have shared a tense alliance since the Congress’s 2023 election victory:
– Siddaramaiah (75): Popular mass leader, two-time CM, reluctant to exit.
– Shivakumar: KPCC chief, organizational mastermind, long-time CM aspirant.
Their power-sharing deal (Siddaramaiah as CM, Shivakumar as deputy) has barely masked the rivalry, with Shivakumar’s supporters pushing for an early handover.
Congress High Command’s Tightrope Walk
The party’s central leadership (Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge) has avoided taking sides, but sources say a mid-2024 transition may be in the works:
– Let Siddaramaiah complete key projects.
– Handover to Shivakumar before general elections.
Opposition Mocks Congress Infighting
The BJP and JD(S) seized the moment:
– BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai: “Congress has two drivers—one refusing to exit, the other grabbing the wheel.”
– JD(S)’s Kumaraswamy: “Selfish politics over governance.”
What’s Next?
- Siddaramaiah’s response? Will he rebuff his son or signal acceptance?
- Shivakumar’s next move? Silence so far, but expect behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
- High command’s call? A smooth transition or forced change could make or break Congress’s 2024 prospects.
Stay updated as Karnataka’s political drama unfolds.
