Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Row: PWD Transfers in Bengaluru
- A fresh power struggle has erupted in Karnataka's government,pitting chief Minister Siddaramaiah against his deputy,DK Shivakumar,over the transfer of five senior engineers.
- Shivakumar, who also oversees the Water Resources portfolio, reportedly sent a letter to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, demanding the immediate reversal of transfer orders issued by the Department...
- Shivakumar's intervention stemmed from the fact that these transfers occurred without his explicit consent.
Karnataka’s government is in turmoil as Chief Minister siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar clash over PWD transfers in Bengaluru; a power struggle is brewing. Five senior engineers’ reassignment ignited this conflict, with Shivakumar demanding the orders’ reversal, citing a breach of protocol. The deputy chief minister claims these transfers occurred without his approval, igniting tensions within the Karnataka administration. The dispute highlights the leaders’ ongoing rivalry amid ambitions for control over crucial departments, including water resources. Shivakumar wants the transfers halted. Now, the Chief Secretary must respond. Seek more details and the current dynamics shaping the government, brought to you by News Directory 3. Discover what’s next as the situation unfolds.
Karnataka Government faces Transfer Dispute Between Siddaramaiah,Shivakumar
Updated May 29,2025
A fresh power struggle has erupted in Karnataka’s government,pitting chief Minister Siddaramaiah against his deputy,DK Shivakumar,over the transfer of five senior engineers. This latest clash underscores ongoing tensions between the two leaders, both vying for influence within the state administration.
Shivakumar, who also oversees the Water Resources portfolio, reportedly sent a letter to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, demanding the immediate reversal of transfer orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), which operates under Siddaramaiah. The Public Works Department (PWD) engineers were reassigned May 9 to critical positions within the Water Resources Department, including those managing interstate water disputes and key irrigation projects.
Shivakumar’s intervention stemmed from the fact that these transfers occurred without his explicit consent. He reminded the chief secretary in a May 13 note that a prior agreement stipulated no departmental transfers or appointments should occur without his approval. shivakumar stated that these decisions “violate protocol and undermine ministerial authority.”
Among those affected was BH Manjunath, slated to retire May 31 from the police housing corporation. The DPAR order instructed a replacement engineer to report early to fill the anticipated vacancy.
While Siddaramaiah has yet to comment, political observers view this as another episode in the ongoing rivalry between the two leaders, each seeking to solidify their control over key administrative areas. This is not the first disagreement between them,with past conflicts arising over budget allocations and appointments.
sources within the congress party acknowledge that the leadership dynamic in Karnataka, where both the CM and DCM harbor chief ministerial ambitions, often leads to friction, particularly concerning high-profile departments like Bengaluru advancement and water resources. The chief secretary’s response remains pending, leaving the fate of the transfers uncertain.
What’s next
the situation remains fluid as the chief secretary considers Shivakumar’s demand. The outcome could either see the transfers reversed or prompt a reassessment of the power dynamics between the Chief minister’s office and Shivakumar’s ministries, perhaps reshaping the balance of power within the Karnataka government.