Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Karnataka Political Shifts: BJP-JD(S) Merger and Congress Leadership Tensions
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar thinks the Janata Dal (Secular) might merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party soon.
He said this could be good for the Congress because it would make the political situation clearer.
Shivakumar also welcomed new leaders from JD(S) into the Congress, saying they joined because of ideological differences.
Meanwhile, there is tension within the Congress about who should be the next Chief Minister.
Shivakumar wanted the job, but the party sent him to work in Assam instead.
Current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who recently became the longest-serving CM, said he doesn't know how long he will stay in power.
The Congress is also preparing for upcoming elections, including the Bengaluru civic elections and state Assembly polls in other states.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar suggests JD(S) may merge with BJP, which could simplify political dynamics in Karnataka.
Congress inducts JD(S) leaders, including Govindaraj, citing ideological differences and growing BJP-JD(S) understanding.
Shivakumar claims BJP leaders acknowledge Congress' work in Bengaluru and criticizes JD(S) for lack of clear ideology.
Congress appoints Shivakumar as observer for Assam elections, indicating he won't replace Siddaramaiah as CM soon.
Siddaramaiah, the longest-serving Karnataka CM, expresses uncertainty about his tenure and focuses on upcoming elections.
- Who
- Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, Congress leaders, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
- What
- Potential merger of JD(S) with BJP, leadership tensions within Congress, upcoming Bengaluru civic elections
- When
- Near future, upcoming Bengaluru civic elections, March-April 2024 for key state Assembly elections
- Where
- Karnataka, Bengaluru, Assam
- Why
- Political realignments, leadership ambitions, preparation for elections
- Deputy Chief Minister
- DK Shivakumar
- JD(S) Leader
- HD Kumaraswamy
- Congress Leaders Inducted
- Govindaraj, Gowramma, Chandrashekar, David
- Bengaluru Civic Elections
- Upcoming
- Congress Observers for Assam
- DK Shivakumar, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Longest-Serving Karnataka CM
- Siddaramaiah
- Congress Leadership
- AICC, KPCC
Sources
BJP–JD(S) merger likely in near future: Shivakumar
‘Don’t have options’: How Congress put D K Shivakumar’s CM bid in cold storage
Shivakumar Claims Potential BJP-JDS Merger On Cards, Kumaraswamy Hits Back
