'In days to come... ': Lingayat seer backs DK Shivakumar for Karnataka CM post; reminds Congress of pre-poll deal
NEW DELHI: The ongoing undercurrent of dissent in the Karnataka Congress, between DK Shivakumar's chief ministerial ambitions and CM Siddaramaiah's continuing leadership, received fresh attention on Sunday.
This time from the pulpit of a prominent Lingayat seer.
At a public event in Kanakapura Taluk, Rambapuri Seer Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya openly endorsed Shivakumar's bid for greater prominence, saying the Congress state president deserved a higher position after steering the party to a resounding win in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.
"He should have got a higher position after the last elections. May he get a higher position in the days to come," the seer said, according to news agency PTI.
The remarks come amid persistent speculation within political circles that the Congress high command may revisit a reported power-sharing deal, often described as a "rotational CM formula", between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Though never confirmed officially, the formula was believed to include a mid-term leadership switch after two-and-a-half years.
While addressing the gathering at Siddeshwaraswamy hills, the seer praised Shivakumar's organisational acumen and influence over party dynamics in Karnataka.
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He further hinted at the supposed pre-election understanding between the top leaders.
"Political leaders must honour their word. If there was an agreement before the elections, it should be respected. Asking Shivakumar to step down as KPCC president without fulfilling the promise is not a principled approach," he said.
The endorsement could further complicate the already delicate balance between the two Congress heavyweights, both of whom had vied for the CM post post-election.
Eventually, the high command persuaded Shivakumar to settle for the deputy CM role.
Reacting cautiously, Shivakumar said he respected the sentiments of both the public and the religious community, but made it clear that he would go by the party's word.
"It's not wrong for party workers, seers, or the public to express their wishes. But AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has asked us not to speak on the matter. We will follow what the party decides," he told reporters at his Kodihalli residence.
When asked about the seer's backing and the alleged leadership agreement, he declined to go into details.
'Why should I talk about it openly? It's between me and the party. We are all working together,' he said.
Despite the united front, the undertones suggest insinuation that Shivakumar remains a contender for the top job, with voices backing his claim growing louder.
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