PM Modi Criticizes Congress Over Leadership Disputes in Karnataka, Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticized the Congress-led government in Karnataka for spending more time on internal leadership disputes than addressing public issues, citing the unresolved question of chief ministerial succession between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Modi said the government's focus on internal conflicts had undermined governance and development efforts over the past three years.

Modi extended his criticism to other Congress-ruled states, referencing recent electoral victories in Kerala and ongoing tensions in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, alleging a pattern of broken promises and internal betrayal. He claimed anti-incumbency sentiment was rising in Congress-ruled states due to poor governance, citing unpaid salaries in Himachal Pradesh and agrarian distress in Telangana, while accusing the party of enabling corruption and financial mismanagement.

The remarks come amid escalating public friction between factions supporting Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in Karnataka, with both camps making veiled claims to the chief minister's post. Despite nearly a week passing since the Congress won in Kerala, the party has not named a chief minister there, reinforcing Modi's narrative of organizational instability.

In response, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told reporters in Raichur district that all government positions in Karnataka were stable, rejecting Modi's portrayal of political weakness. 'I do not know what the Prime Minister is seeing. In Karnataka, no chair is shaky and all chairs are strong,' he said.

The Karnataka Congress leadership is expected to address the succession issue in the coming weeks, while the party in Kerala remains silent on its chief ministerial nominee. The BJP plans to intensify its campaign ahead of upcoming state elections, focusing on governance failures in opposition-ruled states.