Bengaluru/New Delhi – 28 November – In the midst of growing turmoil inside the Karnataka Congress over who should be chief minister, senior leader M. Veerappa Moily, a former Union Minister, spoke sharply to LatestNewsX. He warned that the party’s top brass is actually eroding its own standing by allowing a split while it publicly champions unity within the INDIA coalition.
Speaking about the clash between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, Moily urged the AICC leadership to pull both men into Delhi and impose a firm line.
“Until they call these leaders and sort out this matter, the AICC President or the High Command should direct the leaders to keep quiet. Right now, it is practically a free-for-all. Each community is taking its own cudgels. Some communities are saying they will not vote for Congress unless they get their CM,” he told LatestNewsX, flagging the rift as a credibility killer at a pivotal time.
Moily reminded everyone that the NDA, steered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is firmly in control, and that Karnataka – one of the few large states where the Congress still holds power – cannot be wounded by its own drama.
“We have enough fodder to challenge the government and talk of knitting the INDIA bloc together. But we can’t even bring our own Congress people into harmony,” he added, labeling the ongoing infighting “irresponsible and politically suicidal”.
The veteran leader also condemned the caste‑based campaigning that both factions have turned to, and the involvement of religious leaders in the struggle. He followed the overt backing shown by Sri Sri Nanjavadutha Swamiji for Shivakumar’s camp.
“What is going on is not in the best interest of the party. Canvassing through swamis must stop. Caste system is a great evil for the party. Congress is committed to secularism, and that concept is being demolished,” he warned, pressing the high command to intervene before the situation escalates further.
Moily refrained from deciding whether Siddaramaiah should stay on as chief minister, stating that the leadership question will only be addressed once discipline and control are re‑established.
“The priority now is restoring order. Leadership can be decided later – but only after discipline is re‑established,” he clarified.
With multiple public statements from leaders, caste groups, and religious figures fuelling the chaos, Moily’s comments are being seen inside the party as a stark reminder that Karnataka – a critical showcase state for the Congress – risks slipping into long‑term instability unless the high command steps in decisively.
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