Wed Sep 11 01:01:22 UTC 2024: ## Internal Power Struggle Erupts in Karnataka Congress as Siddaramaiah Faces Corruption Probe
**Bangalore, India:** As Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faces increasing scrutiny over alleged irregularities in land allocation to his wife, a power struggle has emerged within the state Congress unit. Several senior leaders have publicly expressed their aspirations for the top post, sparking concern and criticism from within the party.
Channagiri MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj, while supporting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for the position, expressed his disapproval of the public jockeying for power. He argued that such behaviour creates confusion and disunity within the party, urging all 136 Congress MLAs to maintain restraint and allow the party high command to decide on the next Chief Minister.
“If the situation arises, DK Shivakumar will become the Chief Minister; the system is like that,” Basavaraj said, emphasizing the need for party discipline and unity. He criticized the senior leaders’ public statements, stating that it sets a poor example for junior members and could harm the party’s cohesion.
The controversy surrounding Siddaramaiah stems from allegations of irregularities in the compensatory land allocated to his wife, Parvathi, by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Activists claim the 14 premium sites allotted to Parvathi in Vijayanagar under a 50:50 scheme have a significantly higher property value than the original land acquired by MUDA, raising questions about the fairness of the compensation.
The BJP has called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation over these allegations, but the Congress has dismissed any suggestion of his departure. However, the internal power struggle amidst these allegations adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape in Karnataka, where the Congress faces significant challenges.
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