Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 25: With leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah, instructing his fans against issuing any statement on the issue of who should be the next chief minister (CM) of the state, a keen tussle for supremacy that was on between the supporters of Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar seems to have died down temporarily. However, it would be wrong to construe that the friction has permanently ended.

Debate on the next CM for the next state government began after Siddaramaiah's staunch supporter, Zameer Ahmed Khan and others issued statement supporting him. Aides of Shivakumar retaliated. Shivakumar also succeeded in getting instructions from the high command against discussing the issue. Even after the Congress state in-charge barred people from raising the topic, the issue continued to rage. The followers of Siddaramaiah seemed to indicate that their leader was more important than the high command of the party. Now, with the instructions now having been issued by Siddaramaiah, there is at least temporary respite.

As the next election is two years away, Siddaramaiah's supporters may enter the fray anytime and Siddaramaiah might flex his muscles during the long-expected appointment of office bearers for Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. If he tries to tighten his grip, Shivakumar's supporters are sure to counter him. Therefore, the issue may not die down permanently now.

This is the right time to start preparations for the assembly election that is due during mid-2023. Both the sides plan to set the trend now. Siddaramaiah is a skilled strategist and his team is equally aggressive. Therefore, his followers have started to create an impression in his favour now. Shivakumar's followers believe that being the KPCC president, he automatically fits the bill to become the undisputed leader to become the next CM.