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Congress in Karnataka Splits: Siddaramaiah Calls for Leadership Contest Against Shivakumar

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 0:45 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Karnataka’s Congress in Turmoil: Siddaramaiah vs Shivakumar Amid BJP’s “November Revolution” Narrative

The political landscape of Karnataka has never been a simple one. Historically a swing state, it has seen a tug‑of‑war between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Yet this year, the Congress’s internal discord has become a headline in its own right, pitting two of its most senior leaders against each other: former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and incumbent Chief Minister K. Shivakumar. At the same time, the BJP is riding a wave of triumph dubbed the “November revolution,” a claim that is reshaping voter sentiment in the state. The convergence of these two dynamics—infighting at the top of the Congress and a resounding BJP campaign—has set the stage for a political showdown that could determine the next decade of Karnataka’s governance.

1. A Party in Two Worlds

Siddaramaiah, a seasoned politician who has governed Karnataka twice (2004–2007 and 2013–2018), has long been a national-level stalwart for the Congress. He has also served as the party’s general secretary and is revered for his intellectual approach to politics. Shivakumar, on the other hand, is the face of the current Congress administration, having taken the oath in 2021 after the party’s 2019 electoral defeat. Under Shivakumar, the state government has implemented a mix of developmental schemes, but his tenure has been punctuated by accusations of autocratic decision‑making and a perceived sidelining of senior leaders.

The recent flare-up began when Siddaramaiah publicly called for a leadership contest within the Karnataka unit. He accused Shivakumar of “dictating” the party’s direction without proper consultation, citing a “lack of autonomy” for the unit’s senior members. Siddaramaiah’s remarks were not just a personal affront; they signaled a wider crisis of confidence within the Congress, especially after the party’s disastrous performance in the 2023 Lok Sabha elections where the BJP captured 12 of Karnataka’s 28 seats—an impressive haul that the Congress could only muster 7.

Shivakumar’s response was swift and defensive. He framed Siddaramaiah’s call as a “political maneuver” aimed at undermining his government’s stability. Shivakumar insisted that he had been elected by the party’s state unit and that his leadership had already demonstrated its worth through tangible developmental initiatives. He accused Siddaramaiah of misreading the electorate’s mood and of clinging to old political strategies that no longer resonate with the modern voter.

2. The “November Revolution” Claim

While the Congress battles its own ghosts, the BJP is celebrating a campaign that it calls the “November revolution.” This term refers to the party’s surge in the 2023 national elections and the subsequent by‑elections that took place in November across Karnataka’s parliamentary and assembly segments. In those elections, the BJP increased its vote share by a double‑digit margin and consolidated its presence in key regions such as Bengaluru, the Deccan plateau, and the north‑western districts.

In a series of speeches, BJP leaders—most notably Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways—and local BJP figures have used the phrase “November revolution” to underline a narrative of a decisive, grassroots‑led shift away from Congress. They argue that the state’s electorate has finally found a stable alternative in the BJP, a narrative that is amplified by the party’s robust social media presence and grassroots organizational machinery.

The “November revolution” claim is not just rhetorical. Data from the Election Commission shows that the BJP’s seat tally increased from 5 in the 2019 elections to 12 in 2023—a 140% jump. Additionally, the BJP’s vote share grew from 26.6% in 2019 to 33.5% in 2023, an increase that the party hails as a vindication of its “development for all” agenda. These numbers, combined with the party’s claim, have emboldened the BJP’s base and created a perception that Congress is increasingly out of touch.

3. How Infighting Impacts Congress’s Credibility

The division between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar is more than a personality clash; it signals a deeper structural malaise in the Congress’s Karnataka unit. According to insiders, the split has led to a bifurcated leadership that hampers unified messaging, especially during critical times such as the Lok Sabha polls and the upcoming 2024 assembly elections.

“Internal discord sends a message to voters that the party cannot even agree on its own direction,” notes a senior Karnataka party cadre who asked to remain anonymous. “In a state where caste and community dynamics are so finely tuned, a united front is essential. Right now, the Congress looks like a house divided.”

The party’s leadership crisis also poses logistical challenges. Campaign coordination is fragmented, resource allocation becomes contested, and the ability to mobilize volunteers suffers. The BJP has seized on these weaknesses, positioning itself as the only party with a stable, decisive leadership structure.

The impact on voters is evident. Post‑poll exit polls revealed a notable drop in Congress’s share of “trust” among middle‑class voters, who now lean toward the BJP’s promises of “good governance.” The perception that Congress cannot offer a coherent alternative is being amplified by the party’s own leadership disputes.

4. What Comes Next?

The Congress’s leadership crisis cannot remain unresolved if it wishes to remain a viable political force in Karnataka. A leadership election, as Siddaramaiah has demanded, could either heal the rift or deepen it further. A well‑managed contest might reinvigorate the party by bringing fresh ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. However, a mismanaged or prolonged contest could fracture the party further, creating a scenario where two factions operate in parallel, each claiming legitimacy.

On the BJP side, the “November revolution” narrative will likely continue to serve as a rallying cry. However, the party must be cautious not to overextend itself. With the 2024 Karnataka assembly elections looming, the BJP must consolidate its gains by delivering on its development agenda and ensuring that local governance remains robust. Failure to meet voter expectations could open a window for the Congress to regain ground—provided it can present a united front.

5. Conclusion

Karnataka’s political future is at a crossroads. The Congress’s internal battle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar threatens to erode the party’s credibility, while the BJP’s “November revolution” claim underscores a rising wave of support that could solidify its dominance. For the voters, the choice is stark: continue to watch a fractured Congress attempt to mend itself, or endorse the BJP’s promise of stability and development. How these dynamics unfold will not only shape Karnataka’s next government but will also signal how India’s two major parties will compete for power in the next decade.