Unity among ranks fighting as an opposing force is easier than sharing power after victory. The Congress in Karnataka is still struggling to resolve its many internal power tussles after conceding the claims of its key leaders, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to their appointments as chief minister and deputy chief minister. Including them, a 10-member Council of Ministers was sworn in on 20 May, representing all communities and broadly all regions of Karnataka. MB Patil, who belongs to the Lingayat community that shifted to the Congress in sizeable numbers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Priyank Kharge, a Dalit leader and son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, took oath along with two more Dalits. Leader – K.H. Muniyappa and G. God The Council has one Scheduled Tribe member, one Muslim and one Christian, thus painting a picture of an all-community social alliance that propelled the Congress to victory. But this is only the beginning of an arduous journey as the actions and words of the Congress are being scrutinized by the public and the opposition BJP, whose inefficiency is to be expected. The focus should now be on governance and not on appeasing every group that is demanding representation in the ministry on the basis of community identity or political loyalty.
The challenges are twofold – maintaining decorum and unity of purpose, and working hard to deliver on poll promises and ensure good governance. One is not possible without the other, and in both cases, the new government can influence outcomes beyond the state. The dynamics so far clearly indicate that Mr. Shivakumar has emerged as a power center who will demand accommodation by Mr. Siddaramaiah. The council has at least two members who were vying for the top position. There are more seats to be filled, and the chief minister and deputy chief minister are now waging a new battle over them. Mr. Shivakumar also seems to be stressing on his Vokkaliga caste identity in the ongoing bargaining, which could cut both ways for him and the party. An increase in communal strife in recent years has distracted Karnataka from progressing as the country’s economic powerhouse. The new government will have to deal strictly with the mischief makers irrespective of community or religion. This is an early message that needs to be sent loud and clear. The new government has announced in-principle approval of the five guarantees made by Congress, but much work remains to be done to implement them in a financially sustainable manner. If unity is necessary to win, it is even more necessary to govern.