Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra predicted a split in the Congress Thursday evening a Siddaramaiah faction vs a DK Shivakumar faction as the chief ministerial tug-of-war between the two threatens the stability of the party's only state government

BENGALURU — The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday warned that the ongoing political tussle inside the Karnataka Congress could escalate into a full-fledged split, saying the ruling party’s leadership crisis has created deep divisions that may soon become irreconcilable. BJP leaders claim the power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is weakening governance and triggering factionalism within the party’s ranks.

BJP Says Rift Could Lead to “Half the Party Breaking Away”

Senior BJP spokespersons said the Congress government is struggling to maintain cohesion as competing camps push conflicting agendas. Addressing a press briefing in Bengaluru, BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi said the “internal tug-of-war” over leadership, resource allocation, and control of the organization may cause “half the Congress to separate.”

Ravi said the situation reflects what he called “an unmanageable and unstable coalition within the Congress,” adding that the party’s legislators and district leaders are increasingly choosing sides. He argued that the “dual power center” has put pressure on the party machinery, especially after public disagreements surfaced between ministers aligned with the chief minister and those backing the deputy chief minister.

The BJP’s remarks come amid reports that several Congress MLAs have expressed dissatisfaction over cabinet portfolios, delayed development funds, and the slower-than-expected rollout of key welfare schemes.

Congress Rejects Split Claims, Says BJP Is “Manufacturing Crisis”

The Congress immediately dismissed the BJP’s claims, calling them politically motivated and designed to destabilize the ruling government. Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar said the party is “united and functioning with full strength,” and that the BJP’s allegations reflect frustration after losing the 2023 Assembly election.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also rejected talk of factionalism, telling reporters that disagreements are natural in any large party. “We are not a monolith. We debate, we discuss, and we move forward collectively,” he said. Siddaramaiah added that the government is focused on governance, particularly the implementation of the five major guarantee schemes that formed the backbone of the Congress’s election campaign.

Congress leaders maintain that the BJP is attempting to portray routine political differences as a crisis. “There is no threat to this government,” a senior minister said, pointing out that Congress holds 135 seats in the 224-member Assembly — a comfortable majority.

Leadership Dynamics at the Core of the Tussle

Political analysts say tension between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has existed since the run-up to the 2023 Assembly election, when both leaders were contenders for the chief ministerial post. The Congress high command ultimately appointed Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as his deputy, along with retaining him as the state party president.

Since then, speculation has grown about a possible mid-term change of leadership, though both leaders repeatedly deny it. Party insiders say Shivakumar’s supporters expect him to eventually become chief minister, while Siddaramaiah’s camp seeks stability and continuity.

Analysts say the BJP is attempting to exploit the leadership duality to create political pressure ahead of the 2028 Assembly election and the interim polls.

Governance, Development Funds Spark Internal Disagreement

Reports from within the ruling party suggest that some Congress legislators feel sidelined when it comes to the allocation of development funds. Legislators from northern Karnataka reportedly met party leadership privately to express concerns that certain districts are receiving disproportionate funding compared to others.

A minister aligned with the Shivakumar faction recently criticized delays in releasing grants for infrastructure upgrades in Bengaluru Urban and Ramanagara districts. Meanwhile, MLAs close to Siddaramaiah say funds are being distributed based on project readiness and standard procedures.

Opposition leaders argue that the dispute reflects deeper problems. “This is not about funds. This is about who controls the party and the government,” BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said. He claimed that mistrust within the Congress has led to parallel lines of decision-making.

Congress leaders counter that their government is navigating normal administrative challenges and that the BJP is attempting to turn local concerns into a statewide political narrative.

BJP Attempts to Position Itself as Alternative

With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, the BJP is intensifying its criticism of the Congress government and presenting itself as a stable alternative. The party is focusing on what it calls “administrative drift,” pointing to delays in major infrastructure projects and financial stress linked to the Congress guarantee schemes.

Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said internal conflict in the Congress is affecting day-to-day governance. “The people of Karnataka deserve better. They voted for progress, not power games,” he said.

The BJP is also highlighting what it describes as “policy contradictions” in the Congress government, especially related to revenue generation, power subsidies, and urban mobility projects.

Congress Cites Welfare Delivery, Fiscal Stability

Congress leaders say their government is implementing large-scale welfare programs successfully, including free bus travel for women, enhanced electricity subsidies, unemployment assistance, and cash-transfer schemes. The government argues that these guarantees have expanded purchasing power and improved social equity.

Finance Department officials say the state budget remains under control, with revenue collections meeting targets for the second consecutive quarter. They dismiss concerns about fiscal instability, saying the government has rebalanced departmental expenditure to support welfare commitments.

Government data shows that more than 1.2 crore women have availed the free bus travel scheme since its launch and that electricity subsidies have reached nearly 80 lakh households.

Political Climate Ahead of National Elections

With national elections nearing, the political atmosphere in Karnataka is likely to remain charged. The BJP hopes to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments and build momentum in areas where it traditionally performs well, including coastal Karnataka, parts of central Karnataka, and urban Bengaluru.

The Congress aims to consolidate its base through welfare programs and maintain unity between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s factions. Political observers say the party’s internal management will be critical in determining its parliamentary performance.

Analysts warn that external political narratives may escalate if unresolved internal disagreements continue. “The Congress has to carefully manage its dual leadership model. The BJP will continue targeting it because division is their most effective messaging tool,” said a professor of political science at Bengaluru University.

Looking Ahead: Stability or Escalation?

While both Congress leaders publicly insist they are united, the BJP is likely to continue raising questions about the government’s stability. Whether the internal tensions grow or recede may depend on upcoming cabinet reshuffles, budget decisions, and negotiations within the party’s state committee.

For now, the Congress maintains a solid legislative majority, but the political narrative around leadership tussles continues to shape public perception. As Karnataka moves into a busy electoral cycle, the next few months will determine whether the ruling party can hold its ground against an aggressive opposition.