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**Summary:**

Internal conflict is intensifying within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka as it approaches the midpoint of its term. Loyalists of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are vying for influence, with some calling for a cabinet reshuffle and others pushing for a change in leadership. The party high command is expected to address these issues after the Bihar elections. Despite warnings from party leadership, some Congress legislators are publicly advocating for Shivakumar to become Chief Minister. The opposition BJP is using this internal strife to criticize the government’s performance.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Congress Faces Internal Strife as Midterm Looms**

**Bengaluru, October 3, 2025** – The ruling Congress party in Karnataka is grappling with escalating internal discord as it nears the halfway point of its five-year term in November. Tensions are rising between factions loyal to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, prompting concerns about party unity and government stability.

Supporters of Siddaramaiah are reportedly lobbying for a Cabinet reshuffle to bring in fresh faces, while those aligned with Shivakumar are openly advocating for a change in leadership, fueling speculation about a potential power struggle.

According to sources within the Congress, the party’s central leadership is expected to make decisions on both a Cabinet reshuffle and the leadership question following the upcoming Bihar elections. Some party insiders suggest that a Cabinet reshuffle is likely, allowing for the inclusion of younger legislators.

The party has also been dealing with damage control after some legislators publicly criticized the government. Congress legislator H.D. Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, recently concluded a nine-day fast, seeking blessings for Shivakumar to become Chief Minister by the end of the year. The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has issued show-cause notices to Ranganath and other legislators for voicing such sentiments, in a move interpreted as a message to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) that Shivakumar is not orchestrating the unrest.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has publicly asserted his intention to complete his full term.

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has downplayed reports of dissent, stating that the KPCC president is authorized to enforce party discipline and address unauthorized statements. “Some people get excited, either on account of their emotions or otherwise, and make statements which are beyond the remit and realm of the party’s discipline…. I have asked Mr. Shivakumar to deal with them accordingly.”

The opposition BJP has seized on the internal friction within the Congress, criticizing the government for alleged shortcomings in development work and its handling of recent floods. The BJP is trying to capitalize on internal fighting between Congress factions as a sign of government problems.

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