Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Firmly Denies Leadership Confusion Amid Speculation
In a decisive statement aimed at quelling mounting political rumors, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar reaffirmed on Tuesday that there is absolutely "no confusion" regarding the leadership dynamics within the state government. Speaking to reporters before his departure for New Delhi, Shivakumar asserted that his mutual understanding with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been thoroughly clarified and settled well in advance with the Congress high command.
Shivakumar Addresses Growing Speculation and Public Statements
Addressing the persistent speculation about a potential change in leadership, Shivakumar emphasized, "There is no confusion. We, the CM and I, know what we discussed. We did not speak separately or in secret; I and Siddaramaiah, along with the party leaders, spoke together. We are acting according to what we discussed." He took a strong stance against party members who have been publicly airing their views on the leadership issue, reiterating the directive from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge that urged all Congress functionaries to maintain silence and focus diligently on their official responsibilities.
Further urging everyone to refrain from spreading unfounded rumors, Shivakumar stated, "Whoever is making statements, either in my favour or against me, whether they are ministers or legislators or whoever it is, they are damaging the party. Such statements won't do any good for the party. Mallikarjun Kharge had said that it will be good if everyone shut their mouth. We should all abide by it." His intervention comes at a critical time, as renewed attention has been drawn to the ongoing power dynamics between the two senior leaders. This follows recent comments from Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra, who insisted that his father would complete the full five-year term as chief minister.
Background of the Leadership Debate and Recent Developments
The leadership debate has been reignited particularly after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in November 2025. There have been persistent whispers about a power-sharing understanding that was reportedly established between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar during the formation of the government back in 2023. Brushing aside reports that his absence from pre-budget meetings signaled a growing divide within the party, the deputy chief minister provided a clear clarification. He explained that he had sought explicit permission from the chief minister due to his scheduled engagements with the Congress leadership ahead of upcoming elections.
Shivakumar elaborated, "Today evening I have an AICC meeting on political matters related to various elections. I have been called by the AICC, and I will attend the meeting. Election dates may be announced any time; we have reached that stage. I have been to Kerala, and I have to go to Assam." With Siddaramaiah currently conducting pre-budget sessions with various departments in preparation for presenting what will be his record 17th Budget in March 2026, Shivakumar’s trip to Delhi has inevitably sparked further political curiosity and speculation.
Shivakumar's Optimistic Outlook and Future Engagements
When questioned about whether he intended to meet with party high command members during his visit to the capital, Shivakumar responded pragmatically, "Once I go there, I will meet everyone possible. The Parliament session is also on, so I will certainly meet them if they are free." Dismissing talk among some Congress legislators that he might return with "good news" from his meetings, Shivakumar struck an notably optimistic and philosophical tone.
He reflected, "Every day is good news for me. Every day is a good life for me. Every day is a good beginning for me. Every day is a successful day for me. So every day is good and happy, but also every day is difficult, as nothing is easy. To resolve the difficulties of the people every day, there will be a lot of difficulties and issues, there will be obstacles and criticism. We have to face them and continue with our work." This statement underscores his commitment to navigating the challenges of governance while maintaining a positive outlook amidst the political scrutiny.
