The political corridors of Karnataka are buzzing with intense speculation as a massive power struggle seemingly unfolds within the ruling Congress government. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the party's high command, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly floated a high-stakes demand: appointing his son, Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka.This unexpected development comes on the heels of dramatic internal friction, threatening to upset the delicate power balance currently maintained between the Chief Minister and the state's powerful political heavyweight, current Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.The Resignation Trigger and the Secret DemandSources close to the development reveal that this bold political chess move was triggered during a high-level discussion regarding a cabinet reshuffle and the resignation of key ministers. It is alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah explicitly placed a condition before the Congress top brass, advocating for his son's elevation to the Deputy CM post to secure the family's political legacy in the state.Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, a former MLA from Varuna and currently an MLC, has been increasingly active in state politics, but pushing him directly into the Deputy CM chair has raised eyebrows within the party's veteran circles.DK Shivakumar Camp on High AlertThe rumored demand has reportedly not gone down well with the DK Shivakumar faction. The current power-sharing formula in Karnataka was brokered with immense difficulty by the Congress high command after the 2023 assembly election victory, placing Shivakumar as the sole Deputy CM.Insiders suggest that creating another Deputy CM post especially for Siddaramaiah’s son could be seen as an attempt to dilute Shivakumar’s influence and control over the state administration. The DK Shivakumar camp is keeping a close watch on Delhi's reaction, with murmurs of dissent already growing louder.High Command’s Dilemma: Balancing Legacy and LoyaltyFor the Congress central leadership in New Delhi, this situation presents a massive headache. On one hand, Siddaramaiah remains one of the party’s most popular mass leaders in the South. On the other hand, alienating DK Shivakumar, who acts as the party's chief trouble-shooter and strategist, could destabilize the entire Karnataka government.Political analysts believe that if the high command succumbs to nepotism charges by elevating Yathindra, it could give major ammunition to the opposition BJP and JD(S), who have consistently targeted the Congress over "dynasty politics."What Lies Ahead for Karnataka Politics?As the pressure builds, all eyes are now on the upcoming Congress high command meeting. Will Siddaramaiah succeed in securing a top-tier ministerial berth for his son, or will the party leadership reject the demand to maintain peace with DK Shivakumar? One thing is certain: the internal rift within the Karnataka Congress is widening, and the coming days will decide the future structure of the state cabinet.
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