Bengaluru, October 22, 2025 – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's administration teetered on the brink of turmoil Wednesday as simmering internal dissent within the Congress party erupted into open criticism over chronic delays in flagship welfare schemes, even as the opposition BJP orchestrated fresh disruptions in the state assembly, stalling key debates and amplifying calls for a leadership overhaul.
The flashpoint emerged during a heated Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at Vidhana Soudha, where senior MLAs, including former minister RV Deshpande, unleashed a barrage of grievances against the government's handling of its five "guarantee" promises – from monthly financial aid to women under Gruha Jyothi to youth unemployment allowances via Yuva Nidhi. Deshpande, a vocal Lingayat leader from Haliyal, didn't mince words: "God knows who advised Siddaramaiah on these schemes – they've become a lottery for a few while leaving the majority in the lurch." His remarks, echoing a similar outburst in October that had already sparked a mini-rebellion, drew sharp rebukes from loyalists but underscored a deepening fault line: Over 40% of the schemes' beneficiaries in rural districts like Belagavi and Haveri report payments lagging by 2-3 months, per a party internal audit leaked to media outlets.
The dissent isn't isolated. Minister KN Rajanna, a close Siddaramaiah aide, has publicly questioned the prioritization of welfare over infrastructure, recently asking constituents to "choose between roads or schools" during a school inauguration in Mysuru – a gaffe that opposition leaders seized upon as evidence of fiscal mismanagement. With the 2025-26 budget allocating a reduced ₹51,034 crore to guarantees – down ₹975 crore from the previous year amid revenue shortfalls from drought-hit agriculture – party workers aired over 600 unresolved grievances at a July CLP session, from stalled reimbursements to favoritism in beneficiary lists. Sources within the high command reveal whispers of a "power struggle" for the CM's chair, with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's camp subtly distancing itself, fueling speculation of an early cabinet reshuffle before the winter session concludes.
Siddaramaiah, 82 and in his second stint as CM, sought to douse the flames post-meeting, asserting, "There is no internal rift; the Congress is united in delivering for the people. Delays are teething issues in a transformative agenda – we've already disbursed ₹1.2 lakh crore since 2023." Yet, his grip appears to be weakening, as noted by political analysts tracking the Vokkaliga-Ahodya divide that has long shadowed the party. "The CM's focus on accusing the Centre of shortchanging Karnataka's devolution share – a valid gripe worth ₹1.5 lakh crore – has diverted attention from homegrown failures," observed Prof. Muzaffar Assadi of the University of Mysore.
Seizing the moment, the BJP ramped up its offensive in the assembly, where Leader of Opposition R Ashoka moved an adjournment motion on "guarantee scheme scams," leading to two hours of slogan-shouting and adjournments. "The Congress is mismanaging welfare while grappling with internal feuds – funds meant for flood relief in Bengaluru were siphoned to these populist lotteries, leaving BESCOM and BBMP bankrupt," Ashoka thundered, referencing an August exposé on diverted allocations. BJP state president BY Vijayendra piled on, demanding a white paper on the schemes' implementation and accusing Siddaramaiah of "hiding behind the CM's chair agreement" amid leadership tussles. The disruptions, including walkouts over alleged corruption in urban development projects, have stalled bills on irrigation and education reforms, drawing flak from Speaker UT Khader for "undermining democratic discourse."
This brewing storm arrives as Karnataka navigates post-monsoon recovery and pre-election jitters for the 2028 polls. The guarantees, central to Congress's 2023 victory, have boosted female voter turnout by 12% but strained the state's ₹3.7 lakh crore budget, with economists warning of a ₹10,000 crore deficit if delays persist. Youth wing leaders, protesting outside the party HQ with placards reading "Promises Delayed, Dreams Denied," represent a youth bulge frustrated by Yuva Nidhi's erratic payouts.
As the assembly reconvenes Thursday, all eyes are on Siddaramaiah's balancing act: Quell the rebels without alienating the base, or risk a BJP resurgence. For now, the Garden City's corridors of power echo with the clatter of discontent – a reminder that in politics, delayed welfare can spell accelerated downfall.
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