Karnataka's political leadership has publicly reaffirmed their unity following a much-discussed breakfast meeting between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday. The closed-door gathering at the chief minister's official residence aimed to address ongoing speculation about power-sharing arrangements within the state government.
Leaders Present United Front
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar firmly denied any differences with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "Being the party president, I know my limits. Nowhere have I made any comments or expressed a difference of opinion with the CM," Shivakumar stated emphatically.
The deputy CM further elaborated that both leaders are working in complete harmony. "There is no difference between me and the CM. We are all working together," he added, putting to rest rumors of internal conflict that had been circulating in political circles.
Strategic Planning for Future Elections
Shivakumar revealed that the discussion focused on long-term political strategy, particularly looking ahead to the 2028 assembly elections and the 2029 general elections. "There are a lot of aspirations of the people of Karnataka, and we are committed to working for them. Our aim is 2028 and 2029, and we are working for it," he explained.
The leaders also discussed convening an all-party meeting to address various state issues, demonstrating their commitment to collaborative governance. Both leaders emphasized their dedication to fulfilling the people's expectations and maintaining the Congress party's momentum following their decisive victory in the 2023 state elections.
Behind Closed Doors: The Breakfast Meeting Details
The Saturday morning meeting, which featured a traditional South Indian breakfast of idli, vada, and sambar, was reportedly convened following encouragement from the party's central leadership. Sources indicated that the discussion "hit a bit of an impasse" when Shivakumar expressed his desire to lead the government in the future, citing his organizational contributions to the party.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly suggested that Shivakumar could potentially take over after the 2028 assembly polls, while emphasizing that any leadership decision would require consultation with senior party leader Rahul Gandhi. Despite these private discussions, both leaders maintained a cordial and united public appearance.
Siddaramaiah described the meeting as focusing on party affairs, governance, and preparations for the winter session beginning December 8. He attributed the speculation about tensions to media and opposition rumors, while Shivakumar echoed this stance by insisting there was "no conflict" between them.
Party insiders have indicated that the central leadership is likely to review any potential leadership transition in January. The political significance of this timing is heightened as Siddaramaiah approaches January 7, when he is set to surpass Devaraj Urs as Karnataka's longest-serving chief minister.
Both leaders have committed to prioritizing administration and party unity, with Shivakumar expressing confidence that "Karnataka will play a major role in its revival, and we will repeat in 2028 the poll victory of 2023."
