Democratic Newsroom | Karnataka Leadership Change Highlights Congress High Command's New Strategy

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:20]Good evening, namaskcara. Welcome to another edition of Democratic News from Karnataka edition. I'm joining you live from outside the iconic Vidan South, I've got my colleague Naga Junath with me. The political temperatures have eased with that a beautiful breeze through the city of Bengaluru. And to let them enjoy a bit of the beautiful Bengaluru weather away from the Delhi heatwave, we've teleported my colleagues down here to Bengaluru, I've got with me here Rajep Sardesai, Priti Chri and Gorov Savant. Uh welcome namaskar to all three of you. Uh I hope and I wish that sitting in Delhi you're able to get a sense of the beautiful Bengaluru weather. Rajep >> well it has the best vidan sa building in in the country without a shadow of a of a doubt. I see it's uh the colors are changing even as the political climate or the leadership climate is changing uh in Bangaluru and yes uh you have the weather CV Raman the great scientist once said that the reason he loved Bangaluru quite apart from anything else was the weather and that makes Bangaluru very special and I'm I'm almost envying you that you and Nagarjun are not only in the heat of the action but are in cool Bengaluru even as the three of us are suffering here in the heat wave of Delhi >> except it just started raining here in Delhi but you should also you should you ra you should also speak about the political change that has happened and can I say that I told you so that it would happen as soon as May end because we keep having this conversation about >> to say that Rajiv >> no that's right I mean uh you know there there was a sense that this was going to happen and Nagarjun was saying that by the end of May there will be a change guard. I think what has taken people by surprise is the manner in which it's been done. Uh normally the Congress party is known to sometimes believe not taking a decision is the best decision and the manner in which in a way Sidaraya was almost told to resign and he complied so readily to the point that he was even seen to be hugging his bet noir DK Shivkumar. Today the winds are clearly changing both in the Congress party in Bengaluru uh and and and in that sense obviously the last 24 hours have shown that uh something is is at least changing particularly in the Congress party does it mean that Congress will finally look at taking bold decision because if they had done the same in Rajasthan maybe the election result would have been different or put they would have put up a better Do you think Congress party and Rahul Gandhi have started to now take decisions quite aggressively?

[00:03:07]>> Well, you know, okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Naga, you know, in one, you know, it's said often that one swallow doesn't quite make a summer. But you're right with what happened in Rajasthan, the same thing happened in Punjab, the same thing happened in Chhattisgarh. But why I think the Congress is making decisions which is very different to the grain of the Congress is we go back to the last three political decisions that the Congress has made in a span of one month. I think they've understood the meaning of timing uh and which the Congress completely lacked earlier. Let's go all the way back uh when we were in Tamil Nadu in Chennai. It took the Congress less than 48 hours to switch Naga from an old ally like DMK to the TVK and then actively play the go between to try and garner support for that very alliance very unlike Congress. Uh and even then a lot of us were completely taken by surprise because if it was you know to come to switching an alliance this deliberation would have gone on for months. It happened less than 24 in 48 hours. Then you move to Kerala the neighboring state and there Naga everyone till the last minute thought that the high command in all probability Rahul Gandhi will favor his man and put him uh you know in the chief minister's position but that didn't quite happen. uh the Congress actually heard what was the natural sentiment or if there is something called political natural justice delivered that in the form of Vid Satishan making him chief minister very unlike Congress some would suggest and now I would reckon Rajep himself you know the night before Rajep in Karnataka when the change was affected you yourself said that unlikely you know most political watchers of the congress would have said that no it would have been status quo continuity where Sidaramaya was concerned so yes decision of bringing in DK Shiffkumar a year and a half before elections in 2028.

[00:04:57]Clearly, he's going to be the one carrying the Congress into that election in 28 and the general elections in 29.

[00:05:02]Decisions have been made. Now whether will the congress take it forward remains to be seen but going by just the last three three decisions the congress has made naga interesting different >> I'm not convinced I'm not that convinced that you know what the congress is dramatically I'm not saying dramatic south India is very different there's a comfort factor that the south that the congress has there because u but no raj but even in the south even in the south look at tamil nadu before the election There was all the talk of power sharing.

[00:05:35]Congress didn't put their foot down.

[00:05:36]They said okay the high command ultimately decided what is the easiest way we'll go with that which is to be in an alliance with the DMK. Something has changed Rajep in the last few weeks and how the high command has function.

[00:05:46]>> Removing a giant like Sidraaya doesn't come easily Rajep. So you know what kind of decision that they have taken and in fact what gives me some more surprise is not having Casey Reinopal as a choice of and rather having Vidi. Can I tell you what will decide which which Raj was saying is is correct to a certain extent but what will decide will be the next couple of decisions in one year less than a year the position of general secretary organization empties itself out uh who will replace that position who will come in uh you know will it be Casey Wenu Gopal who will be removed who is given that slot will it be a faithful loyalist or someone who really deserves it that decision is important will now the Congress look at Andhra Pradesh will they try and foster an alliance in Andhra Pradesh I think the next few decisions. Rajep >> look as I said it's the grand old party. I think what has happened is a weakening of the high command and with the weakening of the high command there is a strengthening of local uh uh uh the local organization. We saw that in Kerala we've seen that in Tamil Nadu we've seen that in Karnataka. If I were to detect a pattern it's DK Shipkumar came to Delhi this time saying now or never.

[00:06:56]>> He wasn't going to take no for an answer. He'd come here with a clear plan that this time he wasn't going to bend down accept and allow the Congress high command to buy more time. Satishan and his supporters did something which is very unusual. They virtually were challenging the Congress high command by saying look our leader is the most popular leader. Casey Venu Gopal may have the tacit backing of of Rahul Gandhi but at the end of the day it's our leader who's got the support on the ground. did >> plus the IUML pressure it wasn't >> I I don't I don't agree with it THE L PRESSURE FITS in with the narrative governor that you would like or not the need the >> they may or may not have needed IML but is it the IML pressure there and this time I completely agree you know it's the weakening of the central leadership in in this case with DK Shikumar it's anyway delayed if it was supposed to be 2 and a half years and 2 and a half years clearly DK Shikkumar gets much less time that's Point 1 point 2 Rajep and and Axita the bigger point maybe will Sedaraya permit him to function in the manner in which he may want to function whether his loyalists will still remain in the government and in the party there it all of this you know is this is this curtains for Sidaya as far as this this Natak is concerned or will we see another season of this Natak that remains to be seen >> you know what has happened >> that's a fair question that Gorav has asked right now >> go ahead go ahead Go ahead.

[00:08:25]>> Yeah, Raj.

[00:08:26]>> Okay. So, I just want to bring in that now completely stay out or will he be pulling the strings?

[00:08:34]>> Rajiv, go ahead. Go ahead. Razi.

[00:08:37]>> No, look, I I was just making two very quick points. One, don't forget the impact that Sonia Gandhi's had.

[00:08:43]Semi-retired, but we are told both in the context of Shivkumar and in the context of Satishan, there was a Sonia Gandhi hand there. In the context of Satishan, she spoke to AK Anthony, took feedback from one of their one of their tallest leaders or former leader of Kerala got those inputs, gave them to the party and in the case of Shipkumar apparently she said we had committed to him that two and a half years after Sidaraya Shipkumar would take over. So it's it's interesting not just that when you know it was in the prison in Thihad the commitment Gandhi personally went I think you've got to be very clear Sachin pilot I think when he when that entire revolt took place >> in a sense okay >> almost burnt his bridges at one level with the high command just just one very quick final point on all of this it's interesting the contrast that's taking place in the BJP where you've got the all powerful High command chief ministers are decided by firmar bhajanal sharma over a vasunda raj or a pushkar dhami or a raika gupta. These decisions are not taken by consulting legislators.

[00:09:54]Ironically, the Congress is now doing what the Congress never did in the past in the the BJP has become the old Congress and the new Congress is resembling the old BJP much more consultative and that's the that's the change. Is that much more consultative or pressure that's mounted either by Vid Satishan or by DK Shivkumar because DK Shifkum Kumar says I do all the hard work but I am not rewarded for the hard work and the pressure is if he's not rewarded then the elections in 2028 may be a nightmare for the Congress in in case there's internal fighting as it was both in Chhattisgar and in Rajasthan TS Singh was also not supported by the Mr. Even if they didn't change but even if they didn't change there are no local elections across panchad summit in 5 months he will by the time he hits the ground running two major elections then he's got just one year not easy also sidaraya like it or not and we saw a bit of it today remains a mass leader not easy to just you know cast him aside Importantly he's not willing to take the Rajya Sabha seat as of now all of this that's the big none of this could happened in the BJP of today. No, but on one hand you're saying consultative process and on the other the only factor that perhaps worked here was a promise >> nothing beyond a promise essentially you're saying that the congress has become more consultative but the reality is that it was only a promise that led to DK Shukumar becoming the chief minister Sidra Maya for no fault of his has been removed right now as the chief minister has resigned >> no but that that pro promise itself is consultative right because it had done in the consensus of the high command with congress president Malik I'll tell you why I'm referring to it as consultative. It was pressure. It was pressure from two camps and the Congress high command said because we are at a loss of a solution 2 and a half years. 2 and a2 years you know the pressure was when the 2 and 1/2 year 28 and see that this >> just coming in there also the pressure was also when the 2 and 1/2 year was completed. Like I said the congress has understood the uh the importance of timing. It didn't happen then. Clearly it was in the works since then. You gave uh Siddhar Raaya an honorable exit. He exits now as the longest serving chief minister of Karnataka. You've given him that. So it I think what the Congress got right this time is the timing of it and therefore you see the kind of optics which possibly the BJP might not like of what seemingly on the surface is a smooth transition.

[00:12:26]>> But those are optics for today. Will Sedaraya confirm Kumar to function and lead the Congress in the next election is the big challenge is the big question that we looking at very closely that's the big question and also having a giant figure like Sidra Maya in the backyard and sitting alone and silent is a big big factor in >> do you think it's going to happen absolutely that he will pull the strings of the government that he will call the shots >> he will call the shots he might not pull the carpet under Shivkumar's leg because the number of MLAs are bit too much 40 MLA so it can't be a threat but there'll be constant nitpickings in the governance people will also compare Shivkumar's style of governance to Sidama style of governance and you can't take the MLA slightly there are lot of supporters of Sidra Maya will be in the cabinet and will be in the assembly also and they constantly will be picking on Shivkumar if he doesn't take >> what's the juice onutaya getting his men as deputy chief ministers and cabinet ministers what's the political juice there what are you picking Priti Priti in fact Sidra Maya is landing in half an hour in Delhi right now. He's coming with a list is what I'm told and he definitely wants couple of power centers while Shivkumar is saying boss I don't want any power centers.

[00:13:40]>> That's right DK is chasing him right up to Delhi right now.

[00:13:43]>> That that might be the reason. Shivkumar definitely doesn't want any power centers. He doesn't want his position to be questioned or diluted. But I think they might have pri they might have in all likelihood deputy chief ministers because of the regional balance and cast balance that they want.

[00:13:57]arithmetic they want they want to fill the giant Sidraaya shoes right he represented almost 80% of the population he consolidates the Hindorities will it become a hind together are 25% Naga or can they take everyone together because who gets finance ministry who gets public works department who gets the money portfolio >> no I think I I no but also we have got it wrong Congress party with Sidraaya without Sidraaya with Shik Kumar without shift Kumar has the 35% vote bank. So largely the minorities, the aindas have always been with the Congress party. So these leaders will give you the last mile of 3% vote share. Otherwise, you still have the solid 35% vote share irrespective of who becomes the chief minister in Karnataka. If tomorrow I am the chief minister of Congress party Karnataka, I still have 35%.

[00:14:47]>> All the best for the last mile.

[00:14:50]>> It's not easy.

[00:14:51]>> Who takes you through the boundary line?

[00:14:53]>> No, no, let's it's not easy. Let's be honest. You've got the BJP and JDS together. The BJP has its own problems.

[00:14:59]You know what is very interesting? You finally have a Karnataka political millu where Sidaramaya the old waror once with the Jadal now with the Congress is is slowly stepping aside. Yeda has more or less retired although politicians never retire and Devaka even in his 90s is at the end of the road. So you have an opportunity emerging. The BJP hasn't.

[00:15:22]No, don't say it indeed wants to enter Rajya Sabha now by June 8th. You might even have Dawa entering Rajya Sabha at 94. He recently celebrated his birthday on 94. So you will have and one more thing JDS and BJP together have 55% vote share and that's the big DK will have to fight out will be with India DKS as the chief minister and then you counter that with the JDS. No, the fact is JDS plus BJP is a very formidable coalition as we saw in the Lok Sabha. Once they come together, they become a very formidable coalition.

[00:15:56]So DK Shipkumar will has his hands full.

[00:15:59]He has to not only establish himself as the premier vocal leader, but he has to take others along. You see DK Shipkumar for the first time will now find the challenge of as you said Sidaraya and his loyalists who will also want to be accommodated. We were told there could be two deputy chief ministers, one a lingad, one a dalit. Karnataka as we've seen is a cast cauldron. If you know it is the if Uttar Pradesh is the cast cauldron of the north, Karnataka is the cast cauldron of the south. Therefore managing all the cast challenges will be one of the many challenges that DK ship Kumar will face. The first one is Bengaluru. He's the chief he was the minister in charge of Bengalura and you've got an election there in a seat where in a in a city which was dominated by the BJP in the 2024 election.

[00:16:48]>> Will he be permitted to function as chief minister or will Sidaraya and his team will keep sniping big with 2028 in mind?

[00:16:55]>> Look, I think Siddharaya also knows that he will, you know, Sidaramaya is an oldstyle regional satra. He's like Deva.

[00:17:03]They never retire. So Sidaramaya is not going to retire and go into the sunset.

[00:17:07]He's going to continue to play some kind of a role in Karnataka politics. There's absolutely no doubt about it. I think what Shipkumar will bring to the table is energy. The fact is he is desperate enough now that he's got the chief minister to at least try. This is his 18 months in the in the sun. The other person may not be going into the sunset, but DK is finally finding a place in the sun. So he will do whatever it takes.

[00:17:31]And I think that's one of the reasons why the Congress took the gamble. They knew that even with a with a Sidaraya 2028 is not going to be easy. But you've effected some kind of a generational change of sorts and you're giving DK Shipkumar what you promised him.

[00:17:46]>> So do you see this as a lesson learned from mistakes made in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in the past or you don't see them as mistakes?

[00:17:51]>> Ultimately >> I think each state is very different to the other. The politics of different states are are different. It's never easy to compare one state to the other.

[00:18:00]Which is why I said to suddenly say that the Congress has transformed itself. No.

[00:18:04]But I do think >> we're running out of time. We're running out of time. This can keep going on quickly from all of you. I will get one answer. Rajib to you first. Looking at 2028 and 2028 alone. Yes or no? Right decision by the Congress high command of choosing DK Shivkumar.

[00:18:19]>> Uh uh if you're looking at it from a 2028 perspective, I'm not so sure. Laz Laz is good friends with both of them. He's good with Sidra Maya and DK Shivkum Kumarumar that's the reason he's finding it difficult to answer.

[00:18:32]>> I I I think you had to give Shivkumar his moment in the sun. You see if someone has been around for 35 years was promised by the entire Congress leadership 2 and a half years 2 and a half years if there was one leader who deserved it because he was willing to do the hard work for the party at various levels I think he deserved it. Whether he can win the Congress 2028 big question mark >> deserves okay Rajep yes or no good decision for 2028 yes or no >> quick >> you're not answering my question you're putting a question back at me >> no I'm not putting the question right decision byility whether winning an election is very different but I think the Congress had no option at the end in this case they had no option >> well you know Aka I think 100% it's the best decision that the Congress has taken and why I say that is I don't quite believe that The moment in the sun for DK Shikkumar is now but the Congress has handed him an opportunity of getting his moment in the sun which is his real term in 28 and he has that bandwidth now. DK Shikumar cannot go back to the Congress and say I couldn't do enough my hands were tied you gave it to me too late. It's a year and a half. Some said might suggest that it's too short a time but there is time.

[00:19:39]>> Let let me put you guys on the spot.

[00:19:42]What if tomorrow the BJP can already start this campaign? If the PJP starts a campaign saying, "Look, Rahul Gandhi talks about OBC politics and the party's only OBC chief minister has been told to resign, >> how will the uh >> Okay, we're running out of time. We're running out of time."

[00:19:58]>> You guys tell me how will how will the how will the state what will the be the response of the >> You want to go.

[00:20:05]>> I think I think I think I think it's I think I I'll not hold back. I think it's the right decision taken by the Congress party. It was long pending. I think uh Sidra may had his fair fair share of power and he's exercised his fair fair share of power and they had both at their uh roles in 2023 election. I think it's a fair decision by the congress.

[00:20:22]>> Okay. Only fair go of 10 seconds please.

[00:20:25]>> Right decision but a little too late. It should have happened at least 6 months earlier. Both of them should have got two and a half years so that even DK Shikumar had enough time to work and deliver. So it should have happened much earlier.

[00:20:37]>> Guess what? For once Gorov and I might actually agree with each other on that.

[00:20:41]You know, I don't quite agree. I think the timing was perfect. It wouldn't have happened so this was about to please mute their mic. Please mute their mic.

[00:20:55]>> I'm going to have to otherwise not go to the point. So, I'm going to have to now cut off this uh uh debate. Thank you all very much. You know, I wanted to ensure that you also had a bit of fun of all the drama we've been witnessing. And that's why we decided to teleport here to the beautiful Vidan Sa in Bengaluru.

[00:21:11]We've got the best team out here on the ground and in the studios. Sometimes we bring them over to Bengaluru as well to get you a sense of what's happening right now. But it's DKS Sarcara all the way now in Karnataka 2028. We'll know ultimately if the gamble has paid off for the Congress or not. But that's all in this edition of Democratic newsroom.

[00:21:29]Thanks very much for joining us.