In a surprising turn, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala — a close aide of Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar — is being seen as the unofficial “Super CM” of Karnataka. Despite not being an elected MLA or holding any constitutional post in the state. but Surjewala has reportedly been holding meetings with cabinet ministers, reviewing departmental reports, and even conducting sessions usually led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
This unexpected role has raised serious questions:
Who gave Surjewala the authority to lead ministerial meetings?
What is his constitutional right to review state departments?
Is the Siddaramaiah-led government being overshadowed?
Many believe this is part of a larger power play by D.K. Shivakumar to assert dominance within the Congress government. The situation has created confusion — is Karnataka being run by Siddaramaiah, or is Surjewala now calling the shots?
Political observers warn this could lead to a rift within the Congress leadership. As silence from the party high command continues, the emergence of Surjewala as a key decision-maker has sparked debates across Karnataka’s political landscape.
Is this the rise of a parallel power center in the state?