In a public display of solidarity, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D K Shivakumar, convened for a breakfast meeting on Tuesday, December 2, at Shivakumar's residence. This gesture is widely perceived as a strategic move to quell escalating rumours of a rift between the two top leaders, especially as the Congress government marked the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20.
A Series of Conciliatory Meetings
The December 2 breakfast was a reciprocal gesture, coming just days after Shivakumar visited the chief minister's home for a similar meal on Saturday. That earlier meeting was reportedly held on the instructions of the Congress high command. The political outreach is a direct effort to break the perceived leadership deadlock and present a united front ahead of the crucial Belagavi legislature session, which begins on December 8.
Shivakumar extended the invitation publicly via social media platform X on Monday, stating, "Me and the CM continue to work together as a team." He emphasized that the meeting was to strengthen collective efforts to deliver on electoral promises. Siddaramaiah initially noted he hadn't received a formal call but confirmed he would attend if invited.
Public Commitments to Unity and Discipline
Following the breakfast, which was also attended by an advisor, Siddaramaiah declared the talks successful. He directly blamed the media for creating "confusion" about differences between him and Shivakumar. "There is no difference between me and DKS — not now, not before," the Chief Minister asserted. He reiterated that both leaders would abide by any decision made by the Congress high command, which is expected to address the leadership matter after the winter session.
Echoing this sentiment, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar stated, "One word from the high command, if they tell me to wait, I will wait. Both of us will follow whatever the high command says." He stressed their duty to honour the massive public mandate and ensure the smooth functioning of the upcoming Assembly session, where they plan to jointly oppose the BJP and JD(S).
The Root of the Speculation
The show of unity comes against the backdrop of intense speculation regarding a potential leadership change linked to the government's mid-term mark. Rumours have persistently swirled around an alleged 2023 "power-sharing" understanding. This unconfirmed deal suggested Siddaramaiah would serve as Chief Minister for the first 2.5 years, after which Shivakumar would take over for the remainder of the term.
While Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained he will complete the full five-year term, supporters of Shivakumar have actively pushed for the purported rotational formula. The Congress high command is now actively mediating to keep both leaders aligned and prevent any instability in the state's governance.
For now, the intervention from the party's top leadership appears to have brokered a temporary peace. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have publicly committed to unity and discipline as the Karnataka Congress government enters a critical second phase of its tenure.
