Karnataka Congress Faces Leadership Confusion Amid Allegations of Corruption

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has raised alarms about the growing confusion within the Karnataka Congress regarding the chief ministerial position, particularly concerning D.K. Shivakumar. He criticized the state government for its handling of law and order and corruption issues. Amidst internal disputes over leadership roles, the Congress party faces demands for Shivakumar's appointment as chief minister. Additionally, Joshi addressed the recent surge in commercial LPG prices, attributing it to international factors while praising the Modi government's efforts to stabilize fuel prices. This situation has significant implications for businesses in the food and hospitality sectors, as operational costs continue to rise.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 14:00 IST

Leadership Uncertainty in Karnataka Congress

On Saturday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed concerns regarding the growing uncertainty within the Indian National Congress over the chief ministerial position in Karnataka. He alleged that discussions are underway to appoint D.K. Shivakumar as the chief minister, while also criticizing the state government for issues related to law and order and corruption.

Joshi's Critique of Congress

In response to the ongoing debate about the chief minister's role, Joshi remarked that there is confusion within the Congress party. He noted that the high command has initiated talks about making D.K. Shivakumar the chief minister. He emphasized that their choice of chief minister is not a matter for them, stating that mentioning Kharge or Parameshwara is merely a distraction aimed at creating confusion regarding the alleged 50-50 agreement mentioned by Shivakumar. Whether such an agreement exists is known only to them, and the outcome has led to a deteriorating situation of law and order and rampant corruption in the state.

Internal Disputes in Congress

The Congress government in Karnataka is grappling with internal disagreements over the leadership-sharing arrangement, particularly between supporters of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Some party members have cited the purported 2023 power-sharing agreement, demanding that Shivakumar be appointed as chief minister for the remainder of the term.

Rising LPG Prices and Government Response

Recently, Joshi addressed the significant increase in commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder prices, attributing it to an international issue, noting that over 50% of India's LPG is reliant on imports. Despite these challenges, he praised the Modi government for maintaining stable prices for petrol, diesel, domestic LPG, and LNG, although he acknowledged that the situation is unavoidable due to companies facing severe losses.

Impact on Business Operations

As of Friday, there has been a substantial rise in the prices of commercial LPG cylinders, which has escalated operational costs for businesses in the food and hospitality sectors. The price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi has surged by ₹993, bringing it to ₹3,071.50. Additionally, the price of a 5 kg free trade LPG cylinder has also seen an immediate increase of ₹261 per cylinder.