Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, hosted Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at his official residence, Cauvery, for a high-stakes breakfast meeting around 10 am. The high-stakes talks are aimed at ending the escalating leadership standoff within the state’s Congress government.
Notably, the meeting comes a day after the Congress high command intervened and instructed both leaders to settle their differences through direct talks.
Shortly after the meeting, the Chief Minister took to microblogging site X, sharing an update on his talks with Shivakumar. "Had breakfast with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar this morning and had a brief conversation," Siddaramaiah wrote.
Legal advisor to the Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, was also present at the meeting.
Tensions have been simmering for months now over an alleged rotational power-sharing arrangement, which Shivakumar claims promised him the chief minister’s post after two-and-a-half years. Siddaramaiah, however, has maintained that he has a full five-year mandate.
Speculation around a possible change of leadership further intensified after the government completed two-and-a-half years in office on November 20.
Before heading to the meeting, Shivakumar declined to comment, saying he would speak only after discussions concluded.
According to sources in the Chief Minister’s Office, a traditional breakfast spread, idli, vada, sambar, chutney, and uppittu, was prepared for the meeting, reported PTI.
The power struggle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar continues to dominate the state’s political discourse, with both leaders maintaining their positions ahead of a crucial strategy group meeting of the Congress high command scheduled before the Winter Session of Parliament on November 30.
Shivakumar reiterated on Friday that he is in no rush to claim the chief ministership and will abide by the party high command’s decision.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he remarked, “The party workers may be eager, but I am not hurrying anything. The party will take all decisions.”
The Deputy CM also indicated that he would visit Delhi in the coming days to discuss key state issues, including farmer concerns, ahead of the parliamentary session.
Furthermore, on Friday, he met with Congress MLAs and party leaders from Malluru, Kolar, Mulbagal and Kunigal to discuss the situation. He also received public backing from Nanjavadutha Swamiji, a prominent Vokkaliga spiritual leader, who praised him for his loyalty to the Gandhi family and contributions to strengthening the party.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have exchanged cryptic messages on social media, with the Chief Minister noting that “a word is not power unless it betters the world” and the Deputy CM posting, “word power is world power.”
Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily has expressed concern over the delay in resolving the issue, warning that caste and community influences have overshadowed internal party mechanisms. “The high command must step in immediately to stop this lobbying and decide on a leader capable of leading the party to victory in the next polls,” Moily said.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai suggested the ongoing standoff may prompt the emergence of a “dark horse” in Karnataka politics, as both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar remain inflexible, leaving the high command to explore alternative options.
The Congress high command, led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, is anticipated to make a decision on the leadership soon.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have affirmed their willingness to follow the high command’s directives.
(With inputs from agencies)
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