The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is taking aim at the internal strife within the Karnataka Congress, labeling the alleged power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as "Congress vs Congress". This comes amid increasing speculation about a possible leadership change in the state, roughly halfway through the Congress government's five-year term.

The BJP's criticism intensified following a public exchange between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar on social media, centering around the importance of keeping one's word. Shivakumar alluded to a "secret deal" regarding a rotational chief ministership, while Siddaramaiah emphasized his commitment to serving a full five-year term.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to X, formerly Twitter, stating that "shots have been fired again in Congress," and that their "entire words and worlds are revolving around the CM chair". The BJP has also employed caricatures, memes, and AI-generated videos to mock the Congress's predicament. One such video depicts Shivakumar attempting to order the "CM chair" online, only to find it "out of stock".

Other BJP figures have also weighed in on the matter. BJP Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya described the situation as a "never-ending power struggle". Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka stated that the only guarantee the Congress government has delivered is "uninterrupted instability and uncertainty".

The Congress party, meanwhile, is attempting to downplay the apparent rift. Shivakumar has dismissed rumors of his resignation as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President. He has also accused the BJP of "trying to create confusion" and asserted that all 140 Congress MLAs are united. Siddaramaiah has also stated that discussions within the party are about a cabinet reshuffle, not a change in chief minister.

Despite these assurances, the public spat between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has fueled speculation about a potential power-sharing agreement. Some reports suggest that there was an understanding that Shivakumar would take over as Chief Minister after Siddaramaiah completed two and a half years in office. With that milestone passed on November 20, Shivakumar's supporters are reportedly increasing their demands for him to be made Chief Minister.

Political analysts note that the current situation is not unique in Karnataka's political history, which has often been marked by power struggles and fractured mandates. However, some observers have also noted that the current tussle has been conducted with a degree of dignity compared to past conflicts.

The Congress high command now faces the challenge of managing the ambitions of its two top leaders in Karnataka and ensuring stability in the state government. Shivakumar has requested a meeting with party leader Sonia Gandhi to discuss the situation. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for the future of the Congress party in Karnataka.

The BJP, meanwhile, seems content to watch the drama unfold, seizing every opportunity to criticize and mock its political rivals. By highlighting the perceived infighting within the Congress, the BJP hopes to gain a political advantage and undermine the credibility of the state government.