Congress in Karnataka Splits Amid BJP's November Revolution

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 0:33 GMT by moneycontrol.com
      Locale: INDIA

Congress in Karnataka Splits into Two Factions Amid BJP’s “November Revolution”

In the wake of the BJP’s sweeping victory in Karnataka’s 2023 assembly elections, the state unit of the Indian National Congress is embroiled in a bitter power struggle between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and veteran leader K. M. Shivakumar. The clash, which has fractured the party’s leadership structure, threatens to leave Congress on the sidelines of the state’s political landscape as the 2024 general elections loom.

1. The “November Revolution” – A Turning Point for Karnataka

The article opens with a description of the BJP’s “November revolution,” a phrase coined by the party’s campaign to dramatize its historic win over the Congress in the 2023 assembly polls. The BJP captured 10 of the 14 seats contested in the last election cycle, and by 2024 had consolidated an outright majority with 123 out of 224 seats. This outcome not only stunned the state’s political analysts but also galvanized the BJP’s leadership to brand the victory as a watershed moment – “the revolution that rewrote Karnataka’s politics.”

The Congress, on the other hand, slipped to 86 seats, a steep decline from its 131 seats in the 2018 elections. The party’s loss has been cited as the “first domino” in a series of setbacks that have eroded its electoral credibility. The article links to several contemporaneous reports that detail the BJP’s strategic shift to rural voters, the weakening of the Congress’s urban stronghold, and the role of the national leadership’s “National Reboot” initiative in revitalizing the BJP’s campaign machinery.

2. The Two Camp Leaders – Siddaramaiah vs. Shivakumar

Siddaramaiah’s Claim

Siddaramaiah, the former Chief Minister who governed Karnataka from 2013 to 2018, has long been a polarizing figure in the party. According to the article, he has been openly critical of Shivakumar’s faction, accusing it of “dividing the party on regional lines.” Siddaramaiah’s supporters argue that he represents a disciplined, ideologically consistent leadership that can navigate the party back to its core values.

The article cites a statement from Siddaramaiah’s office, quoting him as saying: “The Congress is at a crossroads. We need a unified front if we want to give the people a credible alternative.” He further accused Shivakumar’s camp of fostering “personal agitations” that could fracture the party’s base before the next elections.

Shivakumar’s Counter

K. M. Shivakumar, a veteran politician from the Mandya district and a stalwart of Karnataka’s Congress, has long been a key player in the state’s political theatre. The article indicates that Shivakumar’s group has been advocating for a more “grassroots-driven” approach, focusing on rural development and caste‑based mobilization. He has reportedly been at odds with Siddaramaiah over leadership appointments, the allocation of ticket shares, and the overall strategy to regain lost ground.

A spokesperson for Shivakumar’s faction quoted him as saying: “The Congress cannot afford to split. We must unify under a common strategy that resonates with Karnataka’s diverse electorate.” He also criticized Siddaramaiah for allegedly “alienating the party’s younger cadre” and for not addressing the party’s recent electoral decline.

3. The Internal Dynamics – Leadership, Alliances, and Discipline

The article delves into how the conflict has manifested within the party’s internal machinery. Siddaramaiah’s camp has been lobbying for a central committee that can override state-level decisions, whereas Shivakumar’s group insists on a state‑centric decision‑making process to maintain local relevance.

The central leadership’s role has been highlighted as a decisive factor. The article links to a piece that outlines how the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has attempted to mediate between the two camps, but the mediation has fallen short. A representative from the AICC explained that the central leadership “prefers to stay neutral to avoid any perception of bias, but the lack of a clear resolution is hurting the party’s unity.”

Moreover, the article brings to light how alliances with regional parties have become a flashpoint. Siddaramaiah’s faction has been negotiating with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), while Shivakumar’s side has reportedly been leaning towards the Indian Farmers’ Union (IFU) to tap into the agrarian vote. These diverging strategies have only deepened the fissures.

4. Implications for the Party’s Future

With the BJP’s dominance solidified, the Congress faces an uphill battle to regain its former glory. The article argues that the infighting not only hampers strategic planning but also erodes public confidence. It highlights that a divided Congress is less likely to secure key constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and could risk losing seats to the BJP in the next assembly polls.

The article speculates on the potential for a split. “If the central leadership fails to bring the two camps together, the Congress could fragment into a pro‑Siddaramaiah faction and a pro‑Shivakumar faction,” it reads. This scenario could lead to the formation of a breakaway party, diluting the vote share that currently remains a threat to the BJP.

5. Contextual Links and Further Reading

Throughout the article, the author intersperses hyperlinks to supplementary content. These links provide deeper insight into:

• BJP’s “November Revolution” strategy – covering how the party targeted rural voters through grassroots campaigns.
• Siddaramaiah’s political legacy – a retrospective of his tenure as Chief Minister and his subsequent roles within the party.
• Shivakumar’s political journey – detailing his rise within the Karnataka Congress and his influence on local politics.
• Historical electoral data – offering a comparison between the 2018 and 2023 elections.

These linked resources collectively help readers understand the multi‑layered conflict, contextualize the party’s strategic choices, and evaluate the broader ramifications for Karnataka’s political future.

6. Conclusion

The article presents a nuanced snapshot of the Congress’s internal crisis. Siddaramaiah’s and Shivakumar’s battle over leadership, ideology, and electoral strategy underscores a deeper malaise: a party struggling to reconcile its past glory with the present political realities. The BJP’s “November revolution” has not only redefined Karnataka’s power dynamics but has also exposed fissures that could shape the state’s political trajectory for years to come. How the Congress resolves—or fails to resolve—this conflict will determine whether it can reclaim its place as a viable opposition in Karnataka’s vibrant democracy.