A new chapter in Karnataka's ongoing power struggle unfolded when Pranavananda Swamiji, a prominent seer, made claims regarding the state budget. The Swamiji alleged that mutts, or Hindu monasteries, that had supported Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s bid to take over as the state’s chief minister were deliberately sidelined in the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to the seer, not a single rupee was allocated to these mutts, despite their vocal backing of Shivakumar's leadership aspirations.
The tension surrounding this accusation highlights the deepening divide within the Karnataka Congress. Last week, Iqbal Hussain, a Congress MLA known for his proximity to Shivakumar, openly expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of budgetary allocations for his Ramanagara constituency, alleging that vital development projects had been ignored by the state government. This further stirred up speculation about factionalism between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's camps.
Pranavananda Swamiji’s accusations only intensified the growing concern. The seer claimed that during his recent padayatra, Siddaramaiah had communicated to political leaders that those backing Shivakumar would not receive government aid. He questioned why mutts supporting Shivakumar were denied funds and land allocations, while other institutions benefited from the budget. Despite these allegations, the seer emphasized his unwavering support for Shivakumar, asserting that the community would continue to advocate for him to assume the chief ministerial role, regardless of the lack of financial support.
This incident brings back the focus on the leadership struggle that has been brewing in Karnataka since 2023. The rumors of a “rotational Chief Minister” agreement have circulated ever since the Congress's victory in the state assembly elections, with Shivakumar supporters suggesting that he would take over the role after 2.5 years of Siddaramaiah’s term. However, Siddaramaiah has consistently denied any such arrangement and maintained his position as Chief Minister. Despite multiple attempts to address the issue through meetings, the power struggle within the Congress in Karnataka remains unresolved, with both leaders trying to maintain unity in the party ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
