In a decisive move regarding the leadership of the Karnataka Congress, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) announced on Wednesday the appointment of senior party member and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) B K Hariprasad as the new president of the state unit.

Hariprasad, who hails from the Billava community and is recognized as an OBC leader, has been a longstanding member of the Congress party since the late 1980s. He has served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha four times, with his tenure beginning in 1990 and concluding in 2014.

In 2020, he transitioned to the Karnataka Legislative Council and has recently been nominated for a second term, which will commence in July 2026. Additionally, Hariprasad holds a position as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

Known for his close ties to the Gandhi family, Hariprasad stirred controversy last October when he referred to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the ‘Indian Taliban’. He, alongside Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, has actively criticized the RSS in recent months, demanding transparency regarding its registration and financial sources.

His selection for this prominent role is viewed as a strategic maneuver to counterbalance the influence of outgoing Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, particularly given Hariprasad’s more moderate approach to Hindutva, which was evident during the recent swearing-in ceremony.

During that event, Shivakumar notably displayed an image of his family deity, bowing to it just before taking the oath of office, which has drawn attention to the contrasting leadership styles within the party.

By choosing Hariprasad, an OBC leader from the Billava community, the Congress aims to engage this key voter demographic, which has increasingly leaned towards the BJP in recent years, especially in various coastal Karnataka constituencies.

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