Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar show unity at breakfast

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday sought to put an end to the escalating chatter over a leadership change, insisting that there was “no gap” between him and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and that the two were running the government in complete coordination. He said this working relationship would continue and stressed that both leaders would abide by whatever decision the Congress high command eventually takes on who should lead the state.

In what appeared to be another attempt to project harmony after weeks of internal strain, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s home for breakfast, just days after the two held a similar meeting in Bengaluru. Speaking to reporters after the interaction, he said the understanding between them was intact and would remain so. He reiterated that any decision on the chief ministership belonged entirely to the party leadership, adding that Shivakumar would take over only when the high command deemed it appropriate.

Siddaramaiah said there had been no fresh communication from Delhi on the leadership question, but noted that he would be meeting AICC general secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday at an event both were expected to attend. Asked directly when Shivakumar might be elevated, he replied that it would happen strictly on the high command’s call.

He added that Tuesday’s breakfast invitation came from Shivakumar, and that the two used the meeting to prepare for the legislature session scheduled to begin in Belagavi on December 8. They also discussed holding a meeting of Karnataka MPs in Delhi on the same day to raise state-specific concerns with the Union government.

On the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle, Siddaramaiah said the decision rested entirely with the high command. Shivakumar, speaking separately, maintained that all Congress MLAs were united and dismissed talk of internal divisions.

The twin breakfast meetings over the past four days come as the central leadership works to cool tempers after the leadership debate resurfaced when the government completed the halfway point of its five-year term on 20 November. Rumblings of a possible change gained momentum amid claims of a power-sharing arrangement allegedly agreed upon when the party took office in 2023. For now, the latest show of unity is seen as an attempt to stabilise the situation ahead of the crucial Belagavi session.