Karnataka’s leadership debate entered a new phase on Saturday as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met for breakfast at the CM’s Cauvery residence. The meeting, which was held over steaming plates of idli and sambar, came a day after the Congress high command asked both leaders to stay in dialogue and avoid further escalation.
Shivakumar later posted on X, “Met CM Siddaramaiah avaru at Cauvery Residence this morning for a breakfast meeting. A productive discussion on Karnataka’s priorities and the road ahead.”
In the meantime, Siddaramaiah also posted on X: “I had breakfast and held a brief discussion with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.”
Legal adviser AS Ponnanna was also present.
High command pushes for calm as both leaders reiterate loyalty
The meeting was initiated by Siddaramaiah after the Congress top leadership indicated that it wanted the current tensions handled with restraint. Speaking to reporters earlier, he said, “The high command has called both of us, so I have invited him (DK Shivakumar) for breakfast, and we will talk there. As I said earlier, I will accept whatever the high command says; there is no change in my stand. Even he (DK Shivakumar) said that whatever the high command says we’ll follow that…”
This came even as groups of Shivakumar’s supporters continued to press the argument that he should take over as chief minister based on what they describe as a 2023 “understanding.”
Shivakumar, however, played down the frenzy around him. Responding to questions about expectations within his camp, he said, “The party workers may be eager, but I am in no hurry. The party will take all the decisions.”
He did not rule out a trip to Delhi but clarified that any visit would be linked to raising key issues with the party leadership ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament.
The Congress high command, under Mallikarjun Kharge’s leadership, is expected to discuss the Karnataka situation after the party’s strategy group meeting on November 30. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have publicly said they will abide by whatever the central leadership decides.
Also Read: Amid Karnataka power-tussle buzz, Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar share stage in Bengaluru
Internal voices grow louder as BJP intensifies its criticism
While the Congress leadership works to contain the tensions, other political players have stepped into the debate.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, speaking to ANI, said aspirations within the party were natural: “…Somebody wants DK Shivakumar as chief minister, somebody wants Siddaramaiah to continue, and somebody wants me to be the chief minister, and somebody wants somebody else. So you cannot stop the aspirations of the people… It is up to the high command. All these developments are definitely watched by the high command. They take note of these developments, and they’ll resolve them…”
The opposition BJP, meanwhile, sharpened its attack.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, accused the Congress government of drifting away from governance, saying, “Leadership change is their party problem. It is not connected with the people of Karnataka… There is no development at all… Nobody is interested in the Congress’ internal problems…”
Shivakumar is expected to travel to Delhi to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi later today.
Also Read: Karnataka Congress power tussle: Kharge says will put an end to ‘confusion’ soon