'No differences between us': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says no rift with Shivakumar, eyes 2028 polls

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister hosted the Deputy CM at his official residence over breakfast.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, dismissed rumours of a leadership rift with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, asserting that there are no differences between them and that they are united in their political strategy.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah, shortly after their breakfast talks in the Chief Minister's residence, said the meeting was productive and stated that there are no differences between them.

“Our focus is on the 2028 elections and the upcoming local body polls. We discussed strategies to strengthen Congress and move forward together. There are no differences between us, and there will be none in the future," he asserted during the joint press meet with the Deputy CM.

He added, “We are together, and this unity will continue. The KPCC president and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and I have no differences.”

VIDEO | Bengaluru: After meeting Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "We are together, and this unity will continue. The KPCC president and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and I have no differences."#Bengaluru #Karnataka

(Full video available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/9U4ONTPF47

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The Chief Minister also clarified that both leaders will adhere to the decisions of the Congress high command.

“We have agreed to follow whatever the high command decides. Any confusion reported in the media is unfounded. From tomorrow onwards, there will be no misunderstanding regarding our stance,” Siddaramaiah added.

The Chief Minister also addressed speculation about a likely no-confidence motion against his government, claiming the opposition lacks the numbers to pose a threat.

“The BJP and JDS have a habit of making false allegations. They have spoken about bringing a no-confidence motion, but the BJP has only 60 MLAs and the JDS 18. We have 140. This is a futile exercise, and we will confront their false claims,” he said.

Also responding to reports of Congress MLAs meeting the party high command in Delhi, Siddaramaiah clarified that the visits did not signal dissent. “Some MLAs went to Delhi with aspirations to become ministers. They explained their reasons to me. Whatever the high command decides, we will abide by that,” he added.

Tensions have persisted over an alleged rotational power-sharing deal, with Shivakumar claiming he was promised the chief minister’s post after two-and-a-half years, while Siddaramaiah insists he has a full five-year mandate. Speculation further intensified after the government completed two-and-a-half years on November 20.

The Congress high command, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, is expected to decide soon, with both leaders strongly expressing their readiness to follow its directives.