Rambapuri seer wades into Congress power tussle, backs D K Shivakumar for CM

Bengaluru

Amid continued unrest in the Karnataka Congress over the Chief Ministerial post, Rambapuri seer Sri Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya on Saturday made a politically loaded statement in support of Deputy Chief Minister (Dy.CM) and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar, stating that the Vokkaliga strongman “deserved a higher position” after the 2023 Assembly elections and must be given his due.

The seer’s remarks come at a time when the Congress is witnessing visible infighting, especially over a reported power-sharing agreement between CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. In the last 15–20 days, several Congress leaders have openly aired grievances, suggesting a lack of clarity and trust in the leadership transition plan that was supposedly brokered by the party high command.

Speaking at an event to inaugurate steps leading to the Siddeshwaraswamy hills in Kanakapura taluk on Sunday, the seer said “Shivakumar should have got a higher position after the last elections. May he get a higher position in the days to come.”

Referring to the behind-the-scenes understanding between the Congress high command and the two top leaders, he added,”only the national leaders, CM Siddaramaiah and Dy.CM Shivakumar know the details of their agreement. Political leaders earn respect when they honour such arrangements. The air must be cleared by national leaders—not others—for the sake of the party and to satisfy Shivakumar.”

In recent days, statements by Congress legislators and supporters of both camps have revived speculation that Shivakumar is being sidelined. Demands have surfaced within the party for him to give up the KPCC president post, triggering pushback from his loyalists who say the original understanding must be honoured before any such move.

Backing this sentiment, the seer remarked “asking Shivakumar to relinquish the KPCC presidency until he becomes the CM is not a very principled approach. He would do it if the other side keeps their word. In politics, promises matter.”

He also pointed to perceived stagnation in governance even Congress MLAs are saying development works are not happening. While I am not against guarantee schemes, development must not suffer. This concern is being raised across the state.”

In what appeared to be both a warning and a hope, he said “some politicians are creating rifts between castes and religions. I hope Shivakumar will act firmly against such attempts.”

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