Siddaramaiah vs Shivakumar: Know the strengths and weaknesses of the future Chief Ministers of Karnataka

The race for the top post has intensified between veteran warlord Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, with both the leaders making no secret of their ambition to lead the southern state.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has unanimously authorized the President of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) M Mallikarjun Kharge To choose their leader, who will be the next chief minister of the state.

Earlier on Sunday, Shivakumar made it clear that he had no differences with senior party leader Siddaramaiah. “Some people say that I have differences with Siddaramaiah but I want to clarify that there is no difference between us. I have made many sacrifices for the party and stood by Siddaramaiah ji. I have supported Siddaramaiah.

Before the results of who will be the next Chief Minister of the state, let us have a look at the SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the two aspiring Chief Ministers.

Here is all you need to know about Siddaramaiah’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats:

Born on August 12, 1948, 75-year-old Siddaramaiah joined the grand old party in 2006 after former prime minister Deve Gowda walked out of the JD(S). Making his debut in the Legislative Assembly in 1983, Siddaramaiah was elected from Chamundeshwari on a Lok Dal party ticket. He has won from this seat five times and has tasted defeat thrice. The former Karnataka CM had tasted defeat in the 1989 and 1999 assembly elections. He was also the chairman of the KPCC campaign committee for the elections in 2008. Speaking about his education, Siddaramaiah graduated from the University of Mysore with a B.Sc. degree and later he studied law.

Have a look at their features:

Siddaramaiah has a wide appeal across the state and is popular among a large section of Congress legislators. He has the experience of running a full-time government as Chief Minister (2013-18). He is an able administrator with experience of presenting 13 budgets and is influential among Ahinda (Kannada abbreviation for Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits). He has strong potential to take on the BJP and JD(S), is considered close to PM Modi and his government and Rahul Gandhi on most important issues and apparently has his support.

weakness

Siddaramaiah is not much associated with the party organisationally. He failed to bring back the Congress government to power in 2018 under his leadership. He is still considered an outsider by the Congress old guard as he was earlier with the JD(S). His age is also seen as one of his weaknesses.

Siddaramaiah’s prospects:

His approachability, appeal and experience in taking everyone along to run a government with a decisive mandate and strengthen the Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Apart from this, there are cases of IT, ED and CBI against Shivkumar, who is eyeing the post of CM. This will be his last election and also his last chance to become CM.

Siddaramaiah’s threat:

Uniting senior Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, G Parameshwara, who missed out on becoming chief minister because of Siddaramaiah, BK Hariprasad, KH Muniyappa, among others, against him. The demand for a Dalit CM has also started rising in the state.

Here is all you need to know about DK Shivakumar’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats:

A trusted warlord of the Gandhi family, Shivkumar is an eight-time MLA. Born on May 15, 1962 in Kanakapura to Doddalahalli Kempe Gowda and Gouramma, Shivakumar has been a staunch Congressman from the beginning. He began his political career in the 1980s as a student leader and gradually rose through the ranks of the Congress Party.

Shivakumar’s Strengths:

Shivakumar’s organizational strength, the party’s ‘troubleshooter’ tag, an image of loyalty across the country and his closeness to the Gandhi family, especially Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

He has a strong organizational ability and has led the party to victory in elections. He is a party loyalist and is considered the Congress’s troubleshooter in difficult times. He is also a resourceful leader and has the support of the prominent Vokkaliga community, its influential saints and leaders. He is close to the Gandhi family and has vast political experience.

Shivakumar’s weakness

Cases are going on against him in IT, ED and CBI. He served his jail term in Tihar. He has less mass appeal and experience as compared to Siddaramaiah. Their influence is largely confined to the Old Mysore region. It does not have much support from other communities.

Shivakumar’s prospects

The dominance of the Congress in the old Mysuru region will go to Vokkaliga Shivakumar. KPCC President, as a natural choice to become CM, as in the case of SM Krishna and Virendra Patil. He is also likely to get the support of old party leaders.

Shivakumar’s threat:

The main threat to him is Siddaramaiah’s experience, seniority and mass appeal. A large number of MLAs are likely to support Siddaramaiah. Legal matters may also come in the way, as well as a call for a Dalit or Lingayat chief minister. Siddaramaiah also has the support of Rahul Gandhi.

(With inputs from PTI)