Balancing Siddaramaiah, battling HDK: DK Shivakumar’s first 100 days as Karnataka CM

From JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s aggressive campaign to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s continuing AHINDA influence, and from Cauvery and drought to controversies over major projects, DK Shivakumar faces a difficult political road after 100 days as Karnataka Chief Minister. (Meanwhile, have you read our copy about 100 days of VD Satheesan in Kerala?)

For Shivakumar, 100 days as Chief Minister is not just a milestone. It is a measure of how far he has travelled since winning the biggest political battle — the race for the Chief Minister’s chair.

He has completed 100 days without allowing his old contest with Siddaramaiah to destabilise the government. That, by itself, is a political achievement.

Pressure from several directions

Shivakumar is facing pressure from several directions. Kumaraswamy has emerged as an aggressive challenger. The BJP is trying to find issues to corner the Congress government. Siddaramaiah continues to retain influence among AHINDA (Kannada acronym for Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) sections. At the same time, some government decisions have given the Opposition enough ammunition.

Also read: Vande Mataram: Karnataka govt defies Centre, limits to two stanzas

The result is a government trying to project an image of development and reform while constantly defending itself against political and administrative controversies.

One early political setback was the return of B Nagendra to the Cabinet despite the controversy surrounding the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam. The BJP and JD(S) used the issue to attack the government, forcing Shivakumar to face uncomfortable questions. Nagendra eventually had to resign again.

The episode sent an important message: every decision the government takes has a political cost. The Bidadi township project, the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Road controversy and questions surrounding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) have also become political issues for the government.

Kumaraswamy has used the NICE and Bidadi issues to attack Shivakumar. The Chief Minister, in turn, has argued that these projects date back to earlier governments, including those led by the JD(S). Shivakumar's political message is clear: the Opposition cannot question his government without answering for its own past decisions.

Kumaraswamy the challenger

Perhaps the biggest political development in these 100 days has been former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy’s aggressive return to Karnataka politics.

Also read: Shivakumar vs Kumaraswamy: Vokkaliga rivalry reshapes Karnataka politics

Though he is a Union Minister, Kumaraswamy has remained deeply involved in state politics. His campaign against the Bidadi township project is a good example. By joining farmers opposing land acquisition and taking the issue to court, he has positioned himself as a direct challenger to Shivakumar.

For Shivakumar, the challenge is delicate. He has to maintain political coordination with Siddaramaiah while also building his own identity, leadership and support base

Both leaders want influence among the Vokkaliga community, particularly in the Old Mysuru region. Shivakumar’s attempt to strengthen himself as a major Vokkaliga leader directly challenges the JD(S) 's traditional political space.

Kumaraswamy therefore has more than one reason to target Shivakumar. His campaign is not simply about opposing the Congress government. It is also about protecting the JD(S) political space and preventing Shivakumar from emerging as the dominant Vokkaliga leader.

With the BJP struggling to maintain a sustained campaign on every issue, Kumaraswamy has become one of the most visible faces of the Opposition.

Siddaramaiah remains a force

If Kumaraswamy is the external challenge, Siddaramaiah remains the internal political equation Shivakumar has to manage.

Also read: Siddaramaiah says 75 pc reservation needed for egalitarian society

The two leaders fought a long and intense battle for the Chief Minister’s post. Shivakumar has now completed more than three months without allowing that rivalry to become an open confrontation that threatens the government.

Siddaramaiah continues to have a strong connection with AHINDA sections and remains influential among backward classes and other social groups that have traditionally supported him. The caste census and internal reservation are likely to remain important parts of his political agenda.

For Shivakumar, the challenge is delicate. He has to maintain political coordination with Siddaramaiah while also building his own identity, leadership and support base.

That balancing act could become harder as Karnataka moves towards bigger political battles.

Reforms meet political resistance

The government has highlighted several administrative initiatives, including the Prajaseva ministry, free bus passes for students, steps to fill 75,000 government posts and the proposed Bharat Jodo associations.

Other measures include allowing new residential buildings up to 2,500 sq ft to get exemption from occupancy certificates, converting B khata properties to A khata and measures aimed at ensuring that government guarantee schemes benefit Karnataka residents.

Also read: India's richest CM: DK Shivakumar tops wealth chart

The government has also spoken about controlling corruption, addressing meter-interest businesses, restarting college elections and introducing a new CSR policy.

However, some decisions have exposed the limits of governance in a politically sensitive environment.

The proposed parking fee system in Bengaluru and the proposal to use park land for public purposes faced strong public and political opposition. The government had to withdraw the measures.

For Shivakumar, these reversals underline an important lesson: an ambitious government cannot assume that every administrative decision will automatically get public acceptance.

The guarantee challenge

The Congress government continues to depend heavily on its guarantee schemes, including Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti. They remain central to the party’s political identity.

But the financial challenge is equally important.

The government has to fund the guarantees while also spending on infrastructure, employment, drought relief and other development programmes. It must also seek central assistance for drought relief, crop-loss compensation and pending grants.

Bengaluru tunnel road

The tunnel road project is one of Shivakumar’s major infrastructure ambitions and a key part of his vision for “Brand Bengaluru”.

Questions have been raised over its cost, feasibility and ability to actually reduce traffic congestion. An IISc study has also raised concerns about whether traffic could simply move to other parts of the city and whether the Hebbal section could face flooding-related problems.

Also read: Adani meets Shivakumar amid tunnel road row; BJP targets Congress

For Shivakumar, the project needs strong justification and careful execution. Otherwise, an initiative meant to represent his development agenda could become a symbol of expensive urban planning.

Cauvery water, drought and Mekedatu

Drought-like conditions have increased pressure on farmers, drinking water and livestock. At the same time, the Cauvery river water dispute with Tamil Nadu remains politically sensitive.

Shivakumar has won the battle for the chair. Now he has to prove that he can control the politics around it. The first 100 days have given him power. The coming months will decide how effectively he can convert that power into political authority

Mekedatu dam is particularly important to Shivakumar. Karnataka continues to push for the project, but clearances from the Centre and the Central Water Commission (CWC) remain crucial, while Tamil Nadu continues to oppose it.

Managing Karnataka’s water interests while maintaining a workable relationship with the Centre will be another difficult political balancing act.

A larger role beyond Karnataka?

Shivakumar has also begun talking about a broader “Team South India” approach, arguing that the progress of southern states matters for India’s growth.

His links with Congress leaders in southern states like Keralam and Telangana (as he played a major role in the elections of the respective states and in selecting the Chief Ministers), his good terms with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and engaging with leaders outside Karnataka could give him a larger political platform, particularly as debates over federalism, funds and the rights of southern states gain importance.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is another sensitive issue. Any perception that genuine voters could lose their voting rights could create a fresh political challenge for the government.

Shivakumar has won the battle for the chair. Now he has to prove that he can control the politics around it. The first 100 days have given him power. The coming months will decide how effectively he can convert that power into political authority.