Karnataka Power Struggle Intensifies: Seer Alleges Bias in Budget Against DK Shivakumar Supporters

Political tensions in Karnataka continue to escalate as fresh allegations emerge over a possible power struggle within the ruling congress government. A prominent seer has now claimed that mutts (Hindu religious institutions) supporting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were deliberately denied funding in the recent state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Seer Alleges Discrimination in Budget Allocation

Pranavananda Swamiji, a well-known religious leader, publicly accused the Karnataka government of showing bias in its financial allocations. According to him, mutts that had backed DK Shivakumar’s claim for the Chief Minister’s post were completely ignored in the latest state budget.

He alleged that “not even a single Rupee” was allocated to these institutions, raising concerns about political favoritism and discrimination in governance.

The seer further claimed that during a recent 700-kilometre padayatra (foot march) to Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah had indicated that those supporting Shivakumar would not receive government assistance.

Political Undercurrents Within Karnataka Congress

These allegations have added fuel to the ongoing speculation about factionalism within the Karnataka Congress. The perceived divide between the camps of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar has been a topic of discussion since the party came to power.

The latest Controversy follows remarks by Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain, considered close to Shivakumar, who recently expressed dissatisfaction over inadequate funding for development projects in his Ramanagara constituency. He claimed that despite repeated appeals, key demands were ignored.

Support for DK Shivakumar Reaffirmed

Despite the controversy, Pranavananda Swamiji reiterated his unwavering support for DK Shivakumar as the future Chief Minister of Karnataka. He emphasized that the community stands by its commitment and will continue to advocate for Shivakumar’s leadership.

“We are not swamijis who go back on our word. We will continue to demand that DK Shivakumar be made Chief Minister, regardless of the circumstances,” he stated.

He also questioned why mutts associated with Shivakumar supporters were allegedly denied both financial assistance and land allocations, while benefits were extended to others.

Background: The Rotational CM Debate

The roots of the current political tension can be traced back to 2023, when speculation first arose about a possible “rotational Chief Minister” formula within the Congress party. According to this theory, DK Shivakumar would take over as Chief Minister after Siddaramaiah completed half of the five-year term.

However, Siddaramaiah and his supporters have consistently denied the existence of any such arrangement. The Chief Minister has repeatedly asserted that he will serve the full term, a position that Shivakumar has publicly supported as well.

Efforts to Maintain Party Unity

Amid growing speculation, senior Congress leaders have stepped in to manage the situation. Reports indicate that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were called to Delhi by party leadership, including senior leader KC Venugopal, to resolve internal differences.

Since then, the two leaders have held multiple meetings, including informal discussions, in an effort to maintain unity within the party. Despite these efforts, periodic controversies continue to highlight underlying tensions.

Political Implications Going Forward

The latest allegations by Pranavananda Swamiji have once again brought the spotlight on internal dynamics within the Karnataka Congress. While there has been no official response from the state government regarding the claims, the issue is likely to intensify political debates in the coming days.

As the state looks ahead to future Elections, maintaining unity within the party will be crucial. For now, the ongoing developments suggest that the power struggle narrative in Karnataka is far from over.