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**Summary:**

The Congress party in Karnataka is facing continued internal challenges. The Lingayat community, a powerful voting bloc, is showing division, with at least two religious leaders publicly supporting DK Shivakumar over Siddaramaiah, highlighting potential leadership tensions.

**News Article:**

**Lingayat Leaders’ Support for Shivakumar Intensifies Congress’ Karnataka Dilemma**

**Bangalore, India** – The Congress party’s path to stability in Karnataka continues to be fraught with obstacles, as divisions within the influential Lingayat community are coming to the fore. At least two prominent religious leaders from the Lingayat community, a key voter base in the state, have publicly expressed their support for DK Shivakumar, the current President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), over former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This public backing signals a potential shift in allegiance within the Lingayat community, which has historically played a significant role in determining election outcomes in Karnataka. Sources say the open endorsement by these religious figures adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing power dynamics within the state Congress unit, fueling speculation about leadership aspirations.

While details of the religious leaders’ specific reasons for supporting Shivakumar remain unclear, the move is widely seen as adding pressure on the Congress high command to address the internal tensions and solidify a unified front ahead of upcoming elections and policy decisions. The party has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but political analysts suggest that a careful balancing act is required to manage the competing interests and ensure the Congress party’s stability in the state. The Lingayat community’s influence will be crucial to the party’s success in any future elections.

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