The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has renewed its criticism of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar amid a leadership tussle in Karnataka’s Congress government.
The Karnataka state unit of the BJP posted an AI-generated clip on its official X account showing Shivakumar purchasing a ‘Chief Minister’s Chair’ from the e-commerce giant’s website. Mr. Shivakumar’s camp is strongly pushing for his elevation as the chief minister, given rumors of a power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Current DK Shivakumar
In the video, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress president, tries to add a chair to his cart, but is greeted with an “out of stock” message.
The BJP captioned the video as ‘DK Shivakumar now’.
Earlier, Shivakumar on Tuesday reacted to reports about the current “infighting” in the Karnataka Assembly, especially those that mentioned the CM’s stand, saying he did not want to embarrass or weaken the party.
DK Shivakumar from Kanakapura in Bengaluru South district said, “I believe in conscience. One should act according to conscience. I don’t want to embarrass the party or weaken the party.”
Speculation about a leadership change is rife in Karnataka as the Congress government completed its two-and-a-half year term this month. Many are calling the development the “November Revolution”, even as Mr. Shivakumar’s supporters demand that he be the next prime minister.
Leadership issues in Karnataka
After the Congress’ victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, media reports claimed that a compromise had been reached between Shivkumar and Siddaramaiah on the basis of a “rotating chief ministerial system”. According to this formula, Shivakumar will take over from Siddaramaiah in two-and-a-half years. The party rejected these reports
Siddaramaiah recently said he intends to continue as president for the entire five-year term, subject to the decision of the Congress high command.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has stepped up its attacks on Mr. Shivakumar and Mr. Siddaramaiah amid allegations of a power struggle within the Congress. Opposition parties in Karnataka have posted an AI video on X attacking two Congress leaders.
“200% DK will soon become CM,” says Cong MLA.
Six MPs supporting Mr Shivakumar will head to Delhi to meet the high command on Sunday night, party sources said, and several more are expected to follow. Last week, around 10 MLAs also met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain expressed confidence in Shivakumar’s elevation, saying that everyone would abide by the decision of the high command.
I believe in conscience. We should work according to our conscience. I don’t want to embarrass the party or weaken the party.
“I will always stand by that statement… 200 per cent, he will soon be the CM. The high command will decide. As our leader (Shivakumar) said, the transfer of power is a secret deal between five to six party leaders and those five to six will decide,” he added.
