Transfers spur 1 more Sidda-DKS turf war

BENGALURU: The uneasy power-sharing equation between Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar flared up again - this time, over the transfer of five senior engineers - adding fresh fuel to a series of bureaucratic flashpoints between the state's top two leaders.

It has now emerged that Shivakumar, who also holds water resources department , formally objected to the May 9 transfer orders issued by the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR), which operates under CM's direct control. In a letter to chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh, deputy CM directed her to "immediately withdraw" the transfers, saying the decisions were made without his approval.

The chief secretary is yet to respond to Shivakumar's letter. CM has also not responded publicly to Shivakumar's objections, but the move is being widely interpreted in political circles as another sign of the deepening rift between the two Congress heavyweights.

The engineers, all from the public works department (PWD), were reassigned to key posts within the water resources department.

Shivakumar took exception to the way transfers were executed. In a written note, he reminded the chief secretary that Congress leadership had reached a foundational agreement when the government was formed: "No transfers or appointments related to my department should be made without my approval. These transfers have been carried out without any reference to the minister concerned," Shivakumar wrote, warning that such moves violate protocol and undermine ministerial authority.

One of the engineers affected, BH Manjunath, currently posted with the police housing corporation, is due to retire on May 31. The DPAR's order, however, instructed a replacement engineer to report to the post in advance, further raising eyebrows in Shivakumar's office.