The power tussle traces its roots to an unofficial power-sharing arrangement believed to have been worked out after the Congress swept the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023. Shivakumar’s supporters have consistently maintained that a power-sharing understanding was reached when the government was formed. Siddaramaiah, however, never publicly acknowledged any such pact and continued to maintain a tight grip over the administration, repeatedly asserting that he intended to complete the full five-year term as Chief Minister.
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What is the rotational pact?
The origin of the rotational arrangement dates back to the state elections that faced stiff competition for the Chief Minister’s post between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar — who is also the party’s state president. The party had then managed to convince Shivakumar and appointed him the Deputy Chief Minister.
Reports had claimed that a compromise was reached based on a “rotational Chief Minister formula,” according to which Shivakumar would become CM after two-and-a-half years.
Tensions between the two leaders have persisted over the years, with the Congress leadership attempting to ease the friction in November last year — after the Karnataka government completed half of its term — by appointing Shivakumar as the party’s political observer for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, according to media reports.
Speculation surrounding a possible rotational Chief Minister arrangement, however, continued, even though Shivakumar largely avoided speaking publicly about any such understanding.Over the past few years, Shivakumar has also significantly expanded his religious outreach, undertaking frequent visits to prominent temples in Karnataka and across the country.
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However, his religious positioning sparked a debate within the Congress. In February last year, Shivakumar attended Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore alongside Union Home Minister Amit Shah. After calling the event “spiritually uplifting”, Shivakumar faced criticism from sections within the Congress, with some leaders objecting to his presence alongside Shah and participation in an event associated with Sadhguru, whom critics accuse of being ideologically close to the RSS.
He courted further controversy in August 2025 when he sang a few lines from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) prayer “Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoome” during proceedings in the Karnataka Assembly. BJP legislators responded by thumping desks, while Congress MLAs reacted uneasily. Shivakumar later apologised to party colleagues and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Congress.
Shivakumar’s path to the Chief Minister’s office has stretched across nearly two decades. From his early years as a Congress organiser in Kanakapura, he steadily rose through the party ranks to emerge as one of its most influential leaders, backed by strong organisational control, political resilience and close ties with the Gandhi family.
A government under pressure
Amid the ongoing power tussle, Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, remained focused on running the government. However, his tenure was marred by several major controversies, including the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case linked to his family, the Valmiki Corporation fund diversion scam, and the power struggles with Shivakumar.
His government has also faced criticism over the caste census push, fiscal strain caused by Congress’ welfare guarantee schemes, Bengaluru’s infrastructure problems, and debates surrounding reservation and communal policies. The BJP has repeatedly targeted the government over corruption allegations, governance issues and leadership instability.
Shivakumar’s balancing act with the high command
Shivakumar, meanwhile, largely avoided publicly escalating the confrontation with Siddaramaiah. However, his supporters kept the pressure alive.
Unlike several Siddaramaiah supporters who openly rejected claims of a rotational arrangement, Shivakumar rarely addressed the issue in public.
Over the years, Shivakumar remained in regular touch with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
On several occasions, he was learnt to have reprimanded loyalists for making provocative remarks and even issued show-cause notices to certain party functionaries to avoid antagonising the high command. He also consistently projected unity despite repeated BJP attacks over the Congress’ internal power struggle.
That strategy now appears to have worked in his favour.
Over the last few days, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar separately met Kharge, Rahul and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal in Delhi, after which the Congress leadership is learnt to have decided to hand Shivakumar the Chief Minister’s post.
