In a fresh display of unity, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D K Shivakumar, convened for a second round of breakfast talks in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The meeting, hosted by Shivakumar at his residence, aimed to project a united front for the Congress government amidst simmering internal tensions over power-sharing that resurfaced last month.
A Reciprocal Meal to Ease Tensions
This gathering followed a similar breakfast hosted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 29, which was orchestrated at the behest of the Congress high command. The Tuesday meeting was a reciprocal gesture, with Shivakumar inviting the CM to his home in central Bengaluru. The menu catered to personal preferences: non-vegetarian for Siddaramaiah and vegetarian for Shivakumar.
Key attendees included Shivakumar's brother and former MP, D K Suresh, considered his main political strategist, and their cousin, Kunigal MLA Dr H D Ranganath. Once again, both leaders sidestepped direct questions regarding the much-speculated transition of power and potential cabinet reshuffle. They firmly placed the decision-making authority in the hands of the party's central leadership, comprising Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge.
"We will abide by any decision of the party’s high command," was the reiterated stance from both camps. Siddaramaiah revealed plans to meet AICC general secretary K C Venugopal in Mangaluru on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Shivakumar stated he discussed the selection of four MLC candidates with the CM after consultations with another general secretary, Randeep Surjewala, noting issues with one of the choices.
Focus on Governance and Countering the Opposition
Post-meeting, Siddaramaiah emphasized that the discussions were centred on party strategy and governance. "We have discussed the strategy to counter the opposition in the legislature session, which begins on December 8. We will counter their arguments and their no-confidence motion," he stated.
He also highlighted the government's pro-farmer initiatives, specifically addressing the distress among sugarcane and maize farmers due to low prices. Efforts are underway to ensure they receive prices aligned with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the centre.
Shivakumar took to social media to summarize the event's purpose, posting, "Hosted the Hon’ble CM for breakfast at my residence today as we reaffirm our commitment to good governance and the continued development of our state under the Congress vision."
The Lingering Power Tussle and External Reactions
The underlying power struggle, which first emerged after the Congress's 2023 assembly victory, came to the fore again on November 20. This date marked the government's mid-term, prompting Shivakumar to indirectly stake his claim for a power transfer based on an alleged unwritten agreement for a 2.5-year tenure each. Siddaramaiah has consistently denied any such pact.
Both leaders confirmed they have not received any summons for a resolution meeting in Delhi with the central leadership. Congress MLA Ajay Singh, a cabinet aspirant, suggested a decision on a cabinet reshuffle might come in February, a remark Siddaramaiah dismissed by asking, "Is he the high command?"
Another aspirant, Home Minister G Parameshwara, noted he was not invited to the breakfast and expressed his intention to soon host both the CM and DCM.
The opposition BJP was quick to criticize the "breakfast diplomacy." State BJP president B Y Vijayendra mocked, "In Karnataka, this cabinet has only one active ministry, the Ministry of Breakfast." Former minister B Sreeramulu likened the talks to the volatile "Russia-Ukraine" negotiations, suggesting they could break down at any moment.
Despite the external noise, Siddaramaiah downplayed the rift, calling it a media creation. He suggested that the visit of Shivakumar-aligned MLAs to Delhi on November 20 was merely to lobby for cabinet positions in anticipation of a reshuffle.
As the Congress high command deliberates, the stakes are personal and political. Siddaramaiah eyes a historic record as Karnataka's longest-serving chief minister by January 2026 and is keen to see through a caste survey and protect the party's flagship guarantee schemes. Shivakumar, representing the dominant Vokkaliga community, is reportedly keen to present the state budget in early 2026, with conditions including a block on any cabinet reshuffle that would signal Siddaramaiah's extended tenure.
