Disagreements between ministers and MLAs in the districts are raising challenges for the Congress

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President BK Hariprasad are said to be at odds over several organizational issues. | Photo credit: File photo

A simmering rift between some Congress lawmakers and ministers over cabinet expansion, allocation of funds and alleged interference in constituencies poses a fresh challenge to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s efforts to keep the herd united.

The growing differences have also brought under scrutiny Mr Shivakumar’s relationship with Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president BK Hariprasad, with the two reportedly at odds on several organizational issues.

While the first half of the Congress government’s five-year tenure was marred by differences between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar, the second half appears to be witnessing public confrontations between some ministers and legislators. Dissensions emerged in Shivamogga, Vijayapura, Mysuru, Kolar-Chickballapur and Belagavi districts.

“Political Dynasties”

In Shivamogga, there was tension between education minister and district head Madhu Bangarappa and Belur Gopalakrishna, Sagar MLA, who was denied a cabinet berth. Mr Gopalakrishna criticized what he described as “favouritism of political dynasties”.

The KPCC also issued a notice to HS Sundaresh, former chairman of the Shivamogga-Bhadravathi Urban Development Authority and former District Congress Committee (DCC) president, for his remarks against party leaders. Mr. Sundaresh had alleged corruption involving persons close to Mr. Bangarappa and questioned the appointment of HC Yogesh as DCC president. Following this, CG Madhusudan replaced Mr. Sundaresh as the head of the authority.

In Vijayapur, differences escalated between minister MB Patil and Congress MLAs CS Nadagouda and Yashvantharayagouda Patil. Lawmakers accused Mr. Patil of conspiring to prevent them from securing ministerial berths.

“open war”

Yashvantharayagouda Patil threatened to resign as an MLA for not declaring that his Indian constituency was drought-hit. He also declared “open war” on the minister, saying that the 2028 Assembly elections would become a direct contest between the two.

In Mysuru, former minister HC Mahadevappa’s absence from Beerihundi Basavanna’s swearing-in ceremony as DCC (Rural) president fueled speculation about his displeasure with the party leadership. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah attended the programme. Mr. Mahadevappa is said to be unhappy at being denied a cabinet berth.

Former minister Tanveer Sait is also believed to be unhappy with the elevation of Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLC, to the cabinet and minister in-charge of Mysuru district.

In Kolar

Kolar and Chickballapur emerged as another source of concern for the chief minister. Several legislators, including MC Sudhakar, KY Nanjegowda, Bangarapet Narayanaswamy, Bagepalli Subbareddy and Kothanur Manjunath, reportedly met Mr Shivakumar to express their grievances against Minister KH Muniyappa.

Lawmakers are said to have sought a probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Kolar-Chickballapur DCC Bank during the tenure of its former chairman Govinda Gowda. The differences over Roopakal M. Shashidhar, KGF MLA, further aggravated the tension.

In Chickballapur, MLA Pradeep Eshwar’s social media post targeting Mr. Sudhakar’s constituents reportedly sparked outrage. The legislators are believed to have escalated their differences with the chief minister and called on the party leadership to intervene.

No female ministers yet

Meanwhile, female lawmakers sulked at being denied a cabinet and appointed all-male DCC chiefs.

Reported differences between Mr Shivakumar and Mr Hariprasad over the proposed Political Affairs Committee (PAC) to improve coordination between the party organization and the government have added another dimension to the internal rift. The KPCC chief’s plan to launch the second leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 84 constituencies defeated by the Congress in 2023 has also turned out to be a point of contention. Now, as per the instructions of the party high command, the name of Bharat Jodo Yatra has been changed to Jana Jagruthi Yatra.

Published – 10 October 2026 18:35 IST