Siddaramaiah’s Caste Survey Push Puts Fresh Pressure on Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Sept 13: Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has renewed his demand for implementation of the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, putting fresh political pressure on Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at a time when the Congress government is attempting to balance competing community interests in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah’s renewed campaign assumes significance following his exit from the Chief Minister’s post, bringing the caste survey report back to the centre of the state’s political debate.

Addressing a convention of the Backward Classes Forum, Siddaramaiah urged the government to implement the survey report and take steps to get vacated the court order restricting its implementation and disclosure. He said he had discussed the matter with Forum president Ramachandrappa and expressed confidence that Backward Classes leaders, ministers and the Chief Minister would support the demand.

Siddaramaiah has also reportedly taken up the issue with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, seeking implementation of the party’s commitment on the caste survey.

The issue could prove politically sensitive for Shivakumar, particularly amid reports that he had earlier, while serving as Deputy Chief Minister, signed a letter opposing the caste survey report. Shivakumar later denied opposing the caste census, but the reported earlier position has acquired renewed political significance following Siddaramaiah’s latest intervention.

The survey has wider implications for the Congress’ AHINDA support base comprising minorities, backward classes and Dalits. While implementation could strengthen the party’s support among these sections, it could also trigger resistance from sections of dominant communities.

For Shivakumar, the political balancing act is particularly delicate as he seeks to consolidate his position among Vokkaligas while retaining the broader social coalition on which the Congress depends.

Any perception that the government is delaying action on the survey could give Siddaramaiah and Backward Classes organisations an opportunity to intensify pressure on the Chief Minister. Conversely, an immediate move towards implementation could open another front with sections of Vokkaligas and Lingayats.

The issue could also expose differences within the Congress government, particularly if the Cabinet is required to take a formal decision on implementation.

With Siddaramaiah continuing to press for the survey report and Shivakumar facing the responsibility of taking the political call, the caste survey has emerged as a potentially defining issue for the Congress’ social coalition in Karnataka ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.