The political landscape in Karnataka is heating up as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, engage in a public tussle over a speculated power-sharing agreement. The controversy centers on an alleged secret deal for rotational leadership within the Congress government, which came to power in the state in 2023.
Breakfast Diplomacy To Resolve The Crisis
In a significant development aimed at diffusing tensions, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on November 29 that he has invited Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for a meeting. The two senior leaders are scheduled to discuss everything over breakfast on Saturday. This move comes after the Congress high command urged both leaders to resolve the ongoing tussle through discussion.
Asserting that there has been no change in his stance, Siddaramaiah stated in a post on X, "The high command has called DK Shivakumar. They had called me as well. They told both of us to meet and talk. So I invited him for breakfast. When he comes there, we will discuss everything." He further emphasized his commitment to the party's direction, adding, "I will act as per what the party seniors have said…. If the high command calls me to New Delhi, I will go."
The Heart Of The Conflict: The "Secret Deal"
The current crisis stems from a cryptic reference made by DK Shivakumar to a promise—specifically, his claim on Monday about a "secret deal" anchored by the Congress leadership after the party's victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly polls.
According to this alleged agreement, Siddaramaiah was supposed to relinquish the chief minister's post to Shivakumar after completing a two-and-a-half-year term, which would have concluded on November 20, 2025. Since Shivakumar's revelation, his supporters have been vocally demanding a change in leadership, insisting that it is time for Siddaramaiah to honor the promise.
In a sharp retort on social media, Siddaramaiah appeared to dismiss these claims. He posted on X that the "mandate given by the people of Karnataka is not a moment, but a responsibility that lasts five full years," asserting his position that he would remain chief minister for the entire five-year term.
High Command Intervention And Political Fallout
The escalating power-sharing issue is set to be a key topic for central leaders following the party's strategy group meeting on November 30. This meeting, held just before the commencement of the winter session of Parliament, will be attended by senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi.
Amid the speculation, DK Shivakumar sought to project a composed image. In a post on X on Friday, he decreed that the party high command will take the final decision on the CM post. He mentioned holding discussions with Congress MLAs and leaders from various constituencies and emphasized that he does not want to rush into things. Separately, Shivakumar is also set to bring Karnataka's farmer issues to the forefront during the Parliament's winter session, shifting some focus back to governance.
The outcome of the breakfast meeting and the subsequent decisions by the Congress high command are being closely watched, as they will determine the stability of the Congress government in Karnataka and set a precedent for internal party conflict resolution.
