Strongly rooted in the Congress culture, B.K. Hariprasad’s elevation as KPCC president assumes significance at a time when D.K. Shivakumar has taken over as Chief Minister.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The appointment of veteran Congress leader and four-time Rajya Sabha member B.K. Hariprasad, 72, as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president is widely viewed as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the party organisation and maintaining factional balance ahead of future electoral battles.Three-tier structureStrongly rooted in the Congress culture, the OBC leader’s elevation assumes significance at a time when D.K. Shivakumar has taken over as Chief Minister. Political observers believe the Congress high command is attempting to create a three-tier leadership structure in Karnataka. Under this arrangement, Mr. Shivakumar would focus on governance, Mr. Hariprasad on party organisation, and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on providing ideological and political guidance.The appointment also reflects the high command’s preference for organisational experience over factional considerations. Although several senior leaders, including Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Eshwar Khandre, were reportedly in contention for the post, Mr. Hariprasad’s selection underscores the importance the party leadership places on administrative and organisational capabilities.A long-time loyalist of the Congress and the Gandhi family, and a trenchant critic of Hindutva politics, Mr. Hariprasad, MLC, has held several key positions in the party, including AICC general secretary and organisational responsibilities across multiple States. His appointment is expected to strengthen the influence of the party’s central leadership in Karnataka while ensuring that organisational decisions remain aligned with the national leadership’s priorities.Significantly, Mr. Hariprasad becomes the third Billava leader to head the KPCC after former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa and former Union Minister B. Janardhana Poojary, well-known for the “loan mela” in the 1980s, adding a social dimension to the appointment. The community has a sizeable presence in the coastal and Malnad districts of the State.Balancing equationsThe leadership transition from Mr. Siddaramaiah to Mr. Shivakumar required careful management of competing interests within the State Congress. After turning down an offer to enter the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Siddaramaiah’s induction into the CWC is seen as part of a broader effort to maintain equilibrium among various power centres within the party.Mr. Hariprasad, who is not identified exclusively with the camps of either Mr. Siddaramaiah or Mr. Shivakumar, is expected to serve as a neutral organisational figure. His role could be crucial in preventing the concentration of excessive power in any faction and preserving internal cohesion.The appointment is also interpreted as a message to aspiring State leaders that influence within the Congress will continue to depend on organisational work and party loyalty rather than solely regional power bases.Focus on cadre buildingHaving entered student politics in the early 1970s, Mr. Hariprasad is regarded as a seasoned organisational strategist. His experience in youth mobilisation and cadre management is expected to be utilised in strengthening the party’s grassroots network.The Congress leadership appears keen to begin preparations early for the 2028 Assembly elections by focusing on booth-level organisation, cadre expansion, and outreach among youth and backward-class communities, rather than relying solely on the performance of the government.Challenges aheadDespite his organisational credentials, Mr. Hariprasad faces several challenges. Unlike Mr. Shivakumar, who built a formidable political and financial network, Mr. Hariprasad is not known for large-scale mass mobilisation or resource mobilisation. Though he belongs to a OBC community, he also does not have the electoral charisma of Mr. Siddaramaiah. He had lost against H.N. Ananth Kumar (BJP) in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru South. In 2019, he lost against Tejasvi Surya (BJP) again from the same constituency.Another challenge will be maintaining a smooth coordination between the government and the party organisation. Any divergence between the two centres of power could revive factional tensions within the State unit.Nevertheless, Mr. Hariprasad’s appointment signals the Congress high command’s determination to prioritise organisational stability, ideological coherence, and internal balance as it seeks to consolidate its position in Karnataka ahead of the 2028 electoral cycle. Published - June 04, 2026 07:46 pm IST