DK Shivakumar Issues Stern Warning To MLAs Amidst Infighting In Karnataka Congress

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, in a stern warning to party members, conveyed that the party MLAs should not issue any statements before the media on party's internal matters, government and the power sharing. He further said that despite the warning if they still make statements, there is no other way than issuing notices to them.

This statement followed comments made by Congress MLA from Mandya, Ravikumar Gowda, predicting that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar would become Chief Minister of Karnataka within two and a half years. Gowda's remarks stirred political controversy.

Alleging that a team which was behind the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2019, was now working to lure Congress legislators with allurements like Rs 50 crore and a minister post, and four legislators have already been contacted, he said there is evidence for it and it will be revealed soon.

"It's a guarantee that he (Shivakumar) will become chief minister after two-and-half years. There is no second talk about this. He has worked for the party. There is no confusion on this, the Opposition is spreading a false narrative in the media," Gowda said.

Responding to Gowda's statement, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Shivakumar urged MLAs not to discuss internal party matters publicly. He emphasized unity among the party's 136 MLAs and clarified that the Chief Minister and he would handle party matters internally.

There had been intense competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post following the assembly election earlier this year. Ultimately, Shivakumar assumed the role of Deputy Chief Minister after negotiations within the Congress.

Gowda noted that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were informed about these developments, and further details would be disclosed soon. Several legislators and former legislators shared this information with the party leadership.