Bengaluru, Jan 8 (Reporter) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday raised alarms about the deepening political crisis within the ruling Congress party, warning that it is only a matter of time before Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s patience runs out. He attributed the ongoing turmoil to the contentious selection process for the Chief Minister post following the 2023 assembly election, which saw fierce competition between Shivakumar and current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, leading to unresolved issues and heightened tensions. According to Bommai, rumours of power-sharing arrangements have fueled the crisis, with the Chief Minister’s camp unwilling to relinquish control as discussions on resolution continue. The former CM highlighted that this reluctance has resulted in secretive meetings and political maneuvering, often under the guise of caste considerations, further exacerbating the situation. In contrast, the Senior BJP leader noted that Shivakumar has shifted his focus entirely to the Congress High Command, a move he described as uncharacteristic of the leader. Despite this shift, Shivakumar has remained unusually patient, likely due to promises made to him, maintaining a stoic silence. However, Bommai cautioned that if Shivakumar’s patience is tested further, it could lead to a political eruption within the Congress party, destabilising Karnataka’s political landscape. "It is a question of time when Shivakumar’s patience will run out... The genesis of all this problem lies in the selection of the Chief Minister after the 2023 election, which was not a smooth affair," he stated during a media interaction in Bengaluru. The former Chief Minister also stressed the need for the Congress party to address its internal matters with urgency, asserting that as the ruling party, it carries a responsibility to ensure that internal strife does not overshadow the state’s development. In response to a question about the internal dispute between BJP leaders Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra Yediyurappa, Bommai expressed confidence in the party’s central leadership, stating that the matter would be resolved through discussions and coordination. "Our party is democratic, and the central leadership is very clear. Any political disputes will be addressed through discussions and coordination with leaders," he added. As the political unrest continues to simmer, the people of Karnataka and political observers remain keenly aware of how the ongoing developments will unfold in the coming weeks...////...