In the midst of a power struggle within the Congress government of Karnataka, AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has issued a stern warning against ministers and party legislators who make public statements about internal party matters, government affairs, and power-sharing dynamics.
The Congress government in Karnataka, despite securing a clear majority, has been grappling with internal factions led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, both vying for power. While Siddaramaiah’s supporters advocate for his uninterrupted five-year term as Chief Minister, Shivakumar’s backers insist on a mid-term rotation of the position after two and a half years. This open discord within the party has embarrassed the Congress high command.
In response to these developments, Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, convened a meeting to address the issues concerning upcoming Lok Sabha election candidate selection, corporation board appointments, and party leaders’ public statements.
At a subsequent media conference, Surjewala emphasized the need for party members to focus on their respective constituencies, districts, and policy development for the benefit of the state’s citizens. He stressed that discussing power-sharing and other internal party matters in public was a violation of party discipline and would not be tolerated. Surjewala also hinted at enforcing a party whip if necessary, urging party members to voice their concerns within the party forum instead of airing them publicly.
In the context of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Karnataka’s significance within the Congress party’s strategy was underscored. Surjewala expressed confidence in securing over 20 parliamentary seats, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the President committed to working towards securing more than 25 seats.
Surjewala also emphasized the successful implementation of guarantee schemes by the Congress government in Karnataka, which has garnered public approval and bolstered their prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He added that continuous reviews of these schemes would ensure their effective implementation at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, discussions regarding the appointment of corporate boards were held, with plans for further rounds of deliberation on this issue. Surjewala, who currently holds responsibilities in Madhya Pradesh’s Assembly elections, promised to complete the board appointment process in Karnataka following the Madhya Pradesh elections.
Responding to inquiries about potential organizational changes within the party, Surjewala revealed that discussions were underway, with a potential shift of responsibility from incumbents to youth and newcomers within the party’s organizational structure.
Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, have seized the opportunity to criticise the Congress government in Karnataka, citing the ongoing factional disputes as evidence of its instability and predicting its eventual downfall.