Residence allocation row exposes deepening fault lines in Karnataka Congress

A public dispute over the allocation of an official residence in Bengaluru has brought simmering internal tensions within the Karnataka Congress to the surface, particularly within the AHINDA political bloc associated with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The conflict centres on the official bungalow on Crescent Road, which was previously occupied by former Minister H.C. Mahadevappa. The residence was recently allotted to Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh. The eviction process turned into a public spectacle when a portion of the house was reportedly demolished to facilitate the transition, a move that has angered supporters of the senior Dalit leader.

Party insiders suggest that Mr. Mahadevappa, who represents T. Narasipur in Mysuru district, had requested additional time from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to vacate the premises, citing a lack of personal accommodation in the city. Although the official 90-day notice period had lapsed, the manner in which Mr. Suresh moved to take possession has been widely criticised within party circles as being ill-mannered and disrespectful to a veteran leader.

This incident is viewed as the latest indicator of Mr. Mahadevappa's waning influence within the former Chief Minister's inner circle. Sources indicate that he has been sidelined since the last cabinet expansion, which was overseen by Mr. Shivakumar. Over the past two decades, Mr. Mahadevappa was a key figure in building the AHINDA coalition—a formidable voter base comprising Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Muslims.

In a sign of shifting loyalties, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, another prominent Dalit leader, is now believed to be closer to Mr. Siddaramaiah. The recent silver jubilee convention of the Backward Classes Federation notably invited Dr. Parameshwara while ignoring Mr. Mahadevappa.

Defending his actions, Mr. Suresh stated that the Chief Minister had allocated the house to him. He claimed that Mr. Mahadevappa had written to the government on August 15 confirming he had vacated the property, after which the Public Works Department began renovation. He added that if rules permit, Mr. Mahadevappa is welcome to stay.

The discord appears to extend beyond this single episode. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, a Valmiki community leader and another staunch supporter of the AHINDA movement, has also reportedly drifted away from Mr. Siddaramaiah's camp. He too was not invited to the federation's convention and has acknowledged efforts to destabilise the movement.

Furthermore, Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, once a loyalist of the former Chief Minister, is said to have fallen out of favour, with Mr. Siddaramaiah reportedly not advocating for his inclusion during the cabinet expansion.

Supporters of Mr. Siddaramaiah have pushed back against the narrative, clarifying that the convention was specifically for the backward classes federation, not the broader AHINDA umbrella. They noted that Dr. Parameshwara was invited in his capacity as a government representative. However, they expressed regret over the developments concerning Mr. Mahadevappa's residence, acknowledging the distress it has caused.