After Shivakumar's cryptic 'word power' post, Siddaramiah's firm reply: 'Mandate a responsibility of 5 full years'

Siddaramaiah

Karnataka’s leadership crisis deepened today after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly countered his deputy DK Shivakumar’s remark on the importance of keeping one’s word.

Responding to Shivakumar’s cryptic X post earlier in the day that said, "Word power is world power", the Chief Minister posted on X: "A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people."

He followed it with a pointed reminder of the government’s mandate: "The mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years. The Congress party, including me, is walking the talk for our people with compassion, consistency, and courage. Our Word to Karnataka is not a slogan, it means the World to us".

The exchange comes as the long-running rumble over the alleged rotational Chief Ministership resurfaces. Shivakumar’s camp has long maintained that he agreed to become deputy in 2023 on assurances from senior leaders that the top post would rotate midway. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly denied any such commitment and the party high command has so far avoided taking a clear position.

“Word power is World Power. The biggest force in the world is to keep one’s word," said Shivakumar earlier today, adding, "Be it a judge, president or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power. Those standing at the back don't know the value of the chair. What value and significance the chair holds.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge osaid the issue will be resolved after discussions with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. "The high command -- myself, Rahul ji and Sonia ji will together take a decision on the issue and resolve it," Kharge told PTI.

However, after Kharge's statement, Shivakumar said that he has not been summoned to the national capital by the Congress High Command. "No one has called me to Delhi," Shivakumar said.

He further said that he would only be travelling to Mumbai to attend a private event and will return from Mumbai and that there is no plan to go to Delhi.