Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar signal truce amid buzz of ‘settlement’ plan

The final act is awaited, but the main protagonists in the Karnataka ‘nataka’—Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D.K. Shivakumar—played to perfection the scene of bonhomie on Saturday, offering assurances such as “abiding by the decisions and directives of the party.”

“We have both decided that we will abide by the decision and directive of the party high command. Be it as ministers or as legislators, no one is against our government,” Siddaramaiah told media persons, with a smiling Shivakumar by his side, after their breakfast meeting held at the “instructions of the party leadership.”

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“At the instructions of the party leadership, D.K. Shivakumar and I had breakfast together at our home,” the CM said, following which talk of a “settlement” formula started circulating.

Putting a united front, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar asserted “no differences” between them and promised to maintain the status quo in the future as well.

 “Since there is a session, the high command has instructed us to clarify the confusion for both. Even now, there is no confusion, and there won’t be any tomorrow either. We will inform the high command about the agreement reached between us. But the confusion has been created by some media outlets. Some legislators may have visited Delhi in connection with the Cabinet reshuffle,” the CM said.

He blamed the opposition BJP and JD(S) for “misinformation, false accusations, and baseless charges,” calling it their tactic to usurp power.

“We have 142 members; they have only 64, and JD(S) has 18. Together, they make 82 members. No matter what false accusations the opposition parties make, we will effectively counter all of them,” he said, promising to bring the Congress back to power in 2028.

On his part, Shivakumar said people had supported the Congress and brought it to power; therefore, the party must live up to their expectations.

Dismissing differences with the CM, Shivakumar said he discussed the strategy for the 2028 assembly polls, ways to tackle opposition parties, and how to deal with a no-confidence motion if the BJP moves it during the upcoming winter session of the Karnataka legislature in Belagavi.

Now the said “compromise agreement”—according to sources the final shape to it will be given by Delhi leadership and there seems a strong possibility of Shivakumar getting the top post in a smooth, amicable transition of power as early as possible.

 However, he too will have to keep his commitment, which includes no more public posturing on this issue. Shivakumar’s loyalists may get some more portfolios, and he may continue as the Karnataka Congress chief—a post which Siddaramaiah loyalists seem to be eyeing. Siddaramaiah, too, will have to support Shivakumar for the next assembly elections.

If this is how it will work, Shivakumar may have landed a good deal since Siddaramaiah is said to have already indicated this is his last go at the top. But in politics, there are no guarantees, and the question also is whether the high command will ensure a smooth transition in time for the 2028 battle.

The  breakfast meeting was convened by the CM at the behest of the Congress high command to end the logjam regarding the 2.5-year leadership sharing formula and the opposition BJP breathing down the neck, warning of moving a no-confidence motion should the power tussle between the CM and his deputy continue.

According to sources, a late-night meeting between Shivakumar and his long-time rival, Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi—who was said to be eyeing Shivakumar’s state Congress chief post—a couple of days back laid the foundation for today’s meeting.