Tensions inside the Karnataka Congress escalated sharply on Thursday after ten MLAs loyal to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rushed to New Delhi, stepping up pressure on the party high command to implement the long-discussed power-sharing formula. Their sudden mobilisation comes as the Congress government completes two and a half years in office, a milestone that has revived talk of rotational leadership.

According to party insiders, the MLAs travelled to Delhi with a clear agenda: to urge Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior central leaders to honour what they claim was an “understanding” reached when the government was formed in 2023. The faction believes the time has come for the leadership transition in favour of DK Shivakumar.

The first batch of MLAs—Dinesh Gooligowda, Ravi Ganiga and Gubbi Vasu—reached the capital on Thursday afternoon. Another group including Anekal Shivanna, Nelamangala Srinivas, Iqbal Hussain, Kunigal Ranganath, Shivaganga Basavaraju and Balakrishna is slated to arrive on Friday. Sources indicate that more MLAs from the Shivakumar camp could head to Delhi over the weekend as the internal push intensifies.

Speaking to India Today before departure, MLA Iqbal Hussain made his loyalty clear. “Why am I going? To ask for gold or diamonds? No. I am going for DK Shivakumar,” he said, openly signalling the faction’s demand.

The MLAs are expected to meet Kharge later this evening, followed by scheduled discussions with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal on Friday. Their coordinated presence in the capital marks the strongest show of solidarity yet from the Shivakumar camp.

Adding to the political heat, DK Shivakumar’s brother and MP DK Suresh earlier expressed confidence that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah “will keep his word,” a remark widely viewed as a reminder of the rotational chief ministership reportedly promised during government formation.