Bengaluru, 14 Nov

The Opposition BJP in Karnataka on Friday predicted that the "power tussle" within the ruling Congress party is likely to intensify in the coming days.

According to BJP, with the Congress central leadership "weakened" by the Bihar poll debacle, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would emerge stronger. This would make the issue of a potential CM change in the state more contentious.

Speculations about a possible change in leadership in the state have been circulating within political circles, particularly as the Congress government approaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, a period some are calling the "November revolution."

"If anyone in Congress is happy today and in a mood to celebrate, it is Siddaramaiah. He will be happy... With the Congress central leadership becoming weak following the Bihar results, Siddaramaiah will grow stronger," R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP office, Ashoka said that internal rifts within Congress would deepen, and issues related to power transfer would gain momentum.

"Siddaramaiah is happy. He has strengthened his position as CM and firmly fixed himself to his chair, ready to face those challenging him," he said.

There has been ongoing speculation within Congress about a potential leadership change, with some citing a "power-sharing" agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.

BJP leaders also claimed that the NDA's strong performance in Bihar would strengthen the party in Karnataka as well.

Ashoka further claimed that Congress had lost 99 per cent of the elections it fought under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.