Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has triggered a political storm after claiming he was being targeted because of his caste and social background. In a strongly worded social media post, he referred to his identity as a member of the Kuruba community, an Other Backward Class (OBC), and suggested that his rise to power had angered privileged sections.
Siddaramaiah said his journey from a shepherd community to becoming Chief Minister and presenting multiple state budgets had led to “hatred and envy” among opponents. He added that efforts to sideline him were not just personal attacks but part of a broader conspiracy against his ideology of social justice.
The controversy comes amid an ongoing leadership tussle with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, with speculation about a power-sharing arrangement within the ruling Congress government.
In his post, Siddaramaiah invoked social reformers such as B. R. Ambedkar, Basavanna, Mahatma Gandhi, Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, Narayana Guru, and Kanakadasa, stating that leaders who fought for social equality had historically faced opposition.
Opposition parties accused the Chief Minister of playing caste politics to consolidate support among backward communities and divert attention from internal party conflicts. The issue has intensified political tensions in Karnataka, where Congress returned to power in 2023.
